Sonoma State junior relief pitcher Travis Babin has signed with the New York Mets and will forego his senior season of eligibility.

Babin, a 16th-round selection, completed a three-day mini-camp in Port St. Lucie, Fla., today and will begin playing rookie ball for the Kingsport Mets in Kingsport, Tenn., on Tuesday.

Babin had a 4-0 record and 4.25 ERA this past season and struck out 33 in 29 2/3 innings. He also hit .329 with six homers in 79 at-bats, but he was drafted as a pitcher.

Babin expected to face a tougher decision on whether to stay at SSU or sign a professional contract. But his 16th-round selection made the choice easier. An SSU player hasn’t been drafted before the 16th round since 2004. Babin declined to discuss the financial terms of his signing.

“I was expecting to go later in the draft,” Babin said. “It was definitely a surprise. And it definitely influenced my decision.”