Former Hawaii pitcher Lenny Linsky officially began the next phase of his baseball career by signing a contract with the Tampa Bay Rays today.

Linsky signed his first professional contract at Tropicana Field, the Rays’ home in St. Petersburg, Fla., and was assigned to the Hudson Valley Renegades, the Rays’ short-season single-A affiliate in the New York-Penn League.

“I really don’t have words to describe it,” said Linsky, who leaves today to join the Renegades. “I’m just very grateful to have this opportunity.”

Linsky declined to comment on terms of the contract, but said “I wanted to try to sign as soon as possible when I got drafted and started. I’m not one to hold out to try to get more money.”

The right-handed reliever was selected by the Rays with the 89th overall pick in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on June 7.

Linsky was drafted following a junior season in which he went 1-1 with a 1.30 earned-run average and recorded 14 saves. He finished his career with 27 saves, the second highest total in school history.