Baltimore, Md. (7/21/08) – Outfielder Derek Gianakas (Edison, N.J.) recently signed a professional minor-league contract with the Baltimore Orioles organization.

Gianakas, the 2008 NJAC and ECAC Metro Player of the Year, finished his four year playing career at Kean with a .318 batting average. In 170 games he drove in 134 runs, crossed the plate 146 times and recorded 65 extra base hits. In his senior campaign, he sported a .330 average belting 12 homeruns and swiping 20 bases.

Gianakas leaves his name in the KU record books as he is second all-time in RBI and stolen bases (56), third in runs scored and fourth in hits (181).

He will report to the Orioles spring training facility in Sarasota, Fla. later this week.