Although former Iowa shortstop Justin Toole was not selected last month in the 2009 MLB draft, he is attempting a journey into the major leagues.

Toole has recently signed a free-agent contract with the Cleveland Indians, the fourth Hawkeye to sign with a major-league team in this year. Teammates Steve Turnbull (Toronto Blue Jays), Mike Schurz (Houston Astros), and Kyle Heim (St. Louis Cardinals) were all drafted.

Last spring, Toole batted .346 and scored 31 runs. The Council Bluffs native also hit 13 doubles during the season and stole 15 bases before suffering a season-ending injury.

While playing for the Hawkeyes, Toole was selected third team All-Big Ten on two occasions, and he was academic All-Big Ten twice. As a junior, Toole posted a 25-game hit streak, the longest such streak in the program’s history.