FAYETTEVILLE - Cliff Springston was unsure about where his baseball career was going when he left Baylor after two seasons.

Turns out he was headed right back to Texas.

Springston rejuvenated his college career by transferring to Arkansas, where he emerged from the bullpen to become the Razorbacks' No. 1 starter this past season. That move paid off Friday when Springston was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 11 th round - the 333 rd pick overall - on Day 2 of the major league baseball draft.

"I came to Arkansas with a chip on my shoulder because I wanted to show people I could still pitch," Springston said. "I wasn't happy about my situation [at Baylor ], and Arkansas gave me a chance. It worked out better than I could have imagined."

Springston's career was going backward at Baylor, where he had fallen on the depth chart and appeared in only 33 games in two seasons. The junior left-hander also started slowly at Arkansas before moving into the rotation just before conference play. Springston (5-3, 2. 90 ERA ) remained a starter the rest of the season and led Arkansas in victories (5 ), games started (12 ) and innings pitched (87 1 / 2 ). He was a reliable starter,

2 throwing at least 6 / 3 innings in five of his last eight starts. Springston was at his home Friday in Lorena, Texas, when he received the news he'd been drafted by the Rangers. He said he was glad to get it over with early Friday after spending much of Thursday night talking with scouts on the phone. The Rangers haven't told him when and where he'll report to begin his professional career. "I'm finally able to relax now," Springston said. "I didn't grow up a fan of the Rangers, but they're a home state team and their stadium is probably less than two hours from my house. " I'm very excited right now, and I can't wait to get started with the Rangers." Two Arkansas seniors were taken late in the draft. The New York Yankees took catcher Jeff Nutt in the 25 th round (No. 770 ) and outfielder Aaron Murphree was taken by the San Diego Padres in the 27 th round (No. 825 ).

Nutt said he'll leave Monday for New York's instructional camp in Tampa, Fla., and will report to Staten Island, N. Y., in the short-season New York-Penn League. "I get to keep playing baseball, so I'm happy about that," Nutt said. "I love playing. Being a senior I wasn't looking for a lot of money, so getting picked up by the Yankees is a good deal. I just want to work hard and give back to the game, and who knows what can happen in five years if I keep getting better ?"

Murphree began the 2008 season on a remarkable home run tear, hitting 12 in the first 12 games, but struggled thereafter and finished with 14 home runs for the season.

Now Arkansas must wait and see how many of its drafted recruits will make it on campus.

Bobby Bundy, an infielder / pitcher from Sperry, Okla., went to the Baltimore Orioles in the eighth round (No. 236 ), and he figures to be among the Razorbacks' biggest summer priorities. Bundy's draft stock dropped after tearing knee ligaments during basketball season, but he's still considered a top talent and figures to get a decent offer from Baltimore.

"We'll probably be following him most of the summer," said Arkansas assistant Todd Butler, who is also the Razorbacks' recruiting coordinator.

The Razorbacks probably have a better shot at Zack Cox, a third baseman / pitcher from Louisville, Ky., who lasted longer than thought before being taken by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 20 th round (No. 607 ). Cox was ranked among the top 100 draft prospects by Baseball America. "He wants a lot of money, and he might get it," Butler said of Cox, an excellent student who said he has "more leverage" to come to Arkansas since he's already 19 and would be draft eligible again in 2010, when he'd finish his sophomore season. He's a premium bat. " Cox said he couldn't lose either way.

"Arkansas is an awesome place, and professional baseball is what I've always dreamed of doing," Cox said. "So it's going to work out."

Butler has said Dallas Highland Park High School outfielder Seth Gardner, taken in the 13 th round (No. 384 ) by the Pittsburgh Pirates, plans to honor his commitment to Arkansas, but Chicago left-handed pitcher Austin Wright, also taken by the Pirates in the 23 rd round (No. 684 ), is more likely to turn pro.

Information for this article was contributed by Chris Cocoles of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.