SAN DIEGO – Former Saint Xavier University baseball standout Luke Gregerson (Park Ridge, Ill./Morton) recently signed a new, one-year deal with the San Diego Padres worth $1.55 million to avoid arbitration heading into the 2012 Major League Baseball (MLB) season.  Gregerson was one of nine Padres to sign a contract before last week's arbitration deadline.  Heading into his fourth season with both the Padres and MLB, Gregerson has had an impressive start to his professional career as a reliever.  He has a career ERA of 3.10 and totals of 216 strikeouts, 68 walks and 83 holds over 209.0 innings pitched.  In 2010, Gregerson set the MLB record for most holds in a season with 40.

"This is great news for Luke and any fan of Saint Xavier University Athletics," said SXU baseball coach Mike Dooley.  "He has worked extremely hard to help put himself in this position and it is great to see all his efforts rewarded with a new contract.  I'm so proud of everything he has accomplished so far and wish him a long, prosperous career in professional baseball."

On the mound for Saint Xavier University, Gregerson had a stellar senior season as the team's closer during the 2006 campaign compiling nine saves and a 3-1 win-loss record with an impressive 0.68 earned-run average (ERA).  In addition, as the team's starting right fielder in 58 games that same year, he earned both Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) and NAIA Region VII Player of the Year honors.  Gregerson hit .330 (72-for-218) and recorded a team-leading 49 runs-batted-in (RBI) and 12 stolen bases.  He also posted 15 doubles, five home runs and 46 runs scored. 

To follow Gregerson's MLB career, visit his bio page on the San Diego Padres website by clicking here