Four players with Rhode Island ties sign MLB contracts ahead of deadline

Four baseball players with direct ties to Rhode Island programs have secured their professional futures, signing contracts with Major League clubs ahead of Monday’s deadline for drafted players to finalize agreements or use remaining eligibility to return to college.

Ryan Oshinskie, a right-handed pitcher from Brown University, agreed to terms with the Milwaukee Brewers, who selected him in the sixth round. His signing bonus is $222,500. Oshinskie did not pitch for the Bears in 2026 after an undisclosed injury setback, but his performance the previous summer in the Cape Cod League drew scouts. With the Orleans Firebirds, he posted a 1.93 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP, striking out 38 batters against seven walks in regular-season action.

The Philadelphia Phillies signed three players from the pool: University of Rhode Island teammates Reece Moroney and Jack Hopko, plus high school right-hander Patrick Clemmey, who was committed to enroll at the University of Georgia. Clemmey’s signing means he will bypass college and begin his professional career immediately.

The signings come as the league’s signing deadline approaches – Monday, July 27, 2026. Players who were drafted but did not reach an agreement by that date would retain their college eligibility if they had not yet enrolled at a four-year school. The three URI-connected players all had NCAA eligibility remaining, making the deadline a critical decision point.

Key facts

How the signings fit the organizations

The Brewers added a projectable arm in Oshinskie, who showed command and strikeout ability in the Cape Cod League. His missed 2026 season at Brown raises questions about his immediate readiness, but Milwaukee’s developmental system has a track record of rehabbing and refining pitchers.

The Phillies, who have been aggressive in recent drafts, added three players with varying profiles. Moroney and Hopko bring college experience from a URI program that has produced several recent professional prospects. Clemmey, a high school arm, offers a longer development timeline and higher upside. The Phillies typically invest in both college-ready and high-ceiling prep arms, and the three signings align with that strategy.

What this means for Rhode Island baseball

For Brown and URI, the signings highlight the growing pipeline from Rhode Island college programs to the professional ranks. Oshinskie is the latest Brown pitcher to sign professionally; the Bears have seen a small but steady stream of players enter affiliated ball. URI’s baseball program has sent multiple players to the pros in recent years, and the signing of two current Rams plus a high schooler from the state reinforces the region’s talent base.

The decisions also affect the college teams. Oshinskie’s departure leaves a hole in Brown’s pitching staff for 2027, but the Bears had already planned for his absence this season. URI loses two key players, though Moroney and Hopko were seniors or draft-eligible juniors, so their departures were expected. Clemmey’s signing means Georgia will not have him on campus in the fall.

Limitations and context

The exact bonuses for Moroney, Clemmey and Hopko were not disclosed in the source material. The Brewers’ bonus for Oshinskie is confirmed. The source also did not specify the rounds in which the Phillies selected the three players, though all three were drafted in the 2026 MLB Draft. The injury that sidelined Oshinskie in 2026 was not described in detail, and his long-term health outlook remains a variable for the Brewers.

Source: Yahoo Sports – 4 players with RI ties ink deals with MLB teams ahead of deadline (https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/4-players-ri-ties-ink-090715208.html)