The University of Hawaii baseball team’s best starting pitcher — Jackson Rees — has reached agreement on a free-agent contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Rees told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser he is reporting today to the Blue Jays’ minor-league headquarters in Florida. He is expected to join the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays, Toronto’s rookie-level team. By signing, Rees relinquishes the option of returning to UH for his senior season.

It appeared Rees would remain with the Rainbow Warriors after he was not selected in last week’s 40-round Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. He was draft-eligible after a season at Saddle Community College and two at UH. Last month, Rees earned a bachelor’s degree. He also did not renew his lease in anticipation of being drafted.

“He’s a great kid with a great family,” UH coach Mike Trapasso said of Rees. “And he graduated, and that’s the most important thing. We wish him luck.”

In 2018, Rees was 5-3 with a 3.86 earned-run average in 15 starts.