Pro Hogs

Oliver signs with Phillies

Arkansas pitcher Chris Oliver delivers a pitch during the fourth inning of a SEC Tournament game against Ole Miss on Wednesday, May 21, 2014 at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Ala.

— Former Arkansas pitcher Chris Oliver agreed to a contract with the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday, which CBS Sports reports includes a $550,000 signing bonus.

"It's exciting," Oliver said. "I'm actually in Philly with (the Phillies' first-round pick, former LSU pitcher Aaron) Nola. It's pretty awesome."

The Phillies took Oliver in the fourth round with the 112th overall pick in last week's MLB Draft. He was the second Arkansas player taken in the draft, behind Brian Anderson who went in the third round to the Miami Marlins.

Oliver started 16 games for the Razorbacks as a junior. He finished the season with a 9-4 record on the mound and a 2.51 earned run average.

The right-hander from Farmington will join Arkansas natives Cliff Lee (Benton) and A.J. Burnett (North Little Rock) in the Philadelphia organization.

"It was kind of nerve-racking listening to the draft," Oliver said. "I'm proud to be a Phillie."

Oliver will fly to Clearwater, Fla., on Wednesday to begin mini camp. He is the first Arkansas player to sign his professional contract since the draft.