The undrafted Adam Walton signed a free agent contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, joining teammate Nick Blackburn who was drafted in the 16th round.

Walton opted to return to the Illini after being selected in the 20th round by the Baltimore Orioles following a first-team All-Big Ten campaign. In his past three seasons with the program, Walton started 151 games and at one point had a streak of 134 consecutive starts at shortstop that ended this spring, posting a career .280 batting average.

Walton departs despite one remaining year of eligibility due to his medical redshirt status attained during an injury-shortened freshman season in which he had played in 11 games before breaking a finger.

Four of Walton’s teammates were selected in the 2016 MLB Draft.