Lillis changes mind, signs with Brewers

St. Thomas Aquinas base runner Blake Lillis was safe at second base after Shawnee Heights infielder Caleb Schiefelbein missed the ball during Kansas Class 5A baseball state tournament championship game Saturday, May 28, 2016.

Arkansas lost a signee to professional baseball at the MLB Draft signing deadline Friday.

Left-handed pitcher Blake Lillis of Overland Park, Kan., signed with the Milwaukee Brewers for $127,814, MLB.com reported, citing sources. A source confirmed the signing to WholeHogSports.

Lillis (6-3, 175 pounds) told Arkansas coaches last Friday that he would play for the Razorbacks in 2017. In an interview with WholeHogSports last Saturday, he said his "goal was to go to college and get a degree."

It's unclear why Lillis changed his mind.

Lillis was the fourth Arkansas signee to opt for pro baseball. The Razorbacks also lost catcher Ben Rortvedt (Twins, 2nd round), infielder Cole Stobbe (Phillies, 3rd round) and right-handed pitcher Tyler Benninghoff (Twins, 11th round).

Three other signees were drafted but said they would play for the Razorbacks. Arkansas' signing class was rated fourth nationally by Perfect Game USA prior to the draft.