Mitchell signed

Jared Mitchell is ready to get the next phase in his baseball career under way.

He’ll get that chance today when he makes his professional debut with the Kannapolis (N.C.) Intimidators, a Class A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. Mitchell, the former Westgate High School standout who was named the College World Series Most Outstanding Player after helping LSU win the national championship last month, signed a minor league contract with the White Sox on Wednesday and traveled to North Carolina later in the day.

“From the way he sounded, he’s much satisfied and ready to get started on the next phase of his life,” said Mitchell’s father, Craig Mitchell. “As long as he’s happy, we’re happy.”

Mitchell was selected 23rd overall by the White Sox in June’s amateur draft. He received a $1.2 million signing bonus, according to a story posted on MLB.com. Efforts to reach Mitchell and his agent Wednesday and today were unsuccessful by presstime for today’s newspaper.

“We are very proud of Jared for working so hard to reach this level,” said LSU head baseball coach Paul Mainieri in a press release issued by LSU. “We’re very pleased that he was in our program for three years and developed into a first-round choice. He was vital to our success, and he will always be a part of our program. All of us at LSU wish him the best during his professional career.”

Mitchell, 20, batted .327 with 11 home runs, 50 RBIs and a team-high 36 stolen bases as a junior this year. He was ranked the best athlete and the fastest runner among draft-eligible college players by Baseball America magazine prior to the draft.

A first-team All-State football and baseball selection at Westgate High School as a senior, Mitchell also helped the LSU football team win the 2007 BCS national championship. He had 24 career receptions for 274 yards from 2006-08 with the Tigers.

Mitchell and teammate Chad Jones became the first two student-athletes to win a BCS national title and a College World Series championship when the Tigers won the CWS crown in June. Mitchell hit .348 with two home runs and seven RBIs in six College World Series games this year. The Tigers also played in the 2008 CWS.

White Sox scouts Warren Hughes and Nick Hostetler recommended Mitchell to the team, according to a press release from the White Sox. Mitchell was a 10th-round draft pick of the Minnesota Twins following his senior season in high school.

Terms of Mitchell’s contract were not disclosed.

“You sign for a signing bonus,” said Craig Mitchell. “That’s a one-time deal until you make it to the majors. You get a salary, depending on what level you’re playing (in the minors).”