After four seasons with Missouri’s baseball team, senior designated hitter Peter Zimmermann is headed to the pros. He signed with the Houston Astros as an undrafted free agent infielder on Sunday morning.

In a normal year, he would’ve made the jump to professional baseball through the MLB Draft. The event was shortened from 40 rounds to five, though, so Zimmerman’s path looks a little bit different.

“I’m thrilled, ecstatic,” Zimmermann said over the phone. “There really aren’t enough words to express this.”

Zimmermann said the Astros were one of the teams he had been in touch with lately, and “zeroed in” on the organization for its track record with player development and the city of Houston itself.

Because of 2020’s pandemic-shortened baseball season, Zimmermann could have returned to play another year for the Tigers in 2021. He said it won’t be easy to leave Missouri’s program behind.

“I love Mizzou and everything it’s done for me and given me,” Zimmermann, who’s from St. Louis, said. “I’ve been in college for four years, so it’s time to move on.”

Zimmermann said he still plans to take classes on campus in the fall.

“I’ll be around,” he said.

Zimmermann couldn’t disclose the financial details of his contract, which is still pending a physical.

In the 14 games he appeared in this season, Zimmermann batted .333 with four home runs and 17 RBIs. He transferred to Missouri from San Jacinto Community College in Houston before his junior year.

_Edited by Jack Soble | jsoble@themaneater.com_

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