NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Vanderbilt ace Sonny Gray and the Oakland Athletics franchise came to terms on Monday, officially ending one of the most storied careers in Commodore baseball history.

The Smyrna, Tennessee native was the 18th overall pick in the 2011 Major League Baseball Entry Draft in June and signed for $1.54 million according to Baseball America's Jim Callis. According to Callis, Gray is expected to spend a week at the A's spring training complex in Phoenix before heading to Midland, Texas to join the Midland Rockhounds, Oakland's Double-A affiliate.

Gray finished his Commodore career as one of the program's best-ever pitchers. His 27 wins rank him second all-time on the school's career charts and his 317 strikeouts rank him fourth.

This past season, Gray posted a 12-4 record as a Friday starter for Vanderbilt, striking out 132 batters in 126 innings and finishing with a 2.43 season ERA. He garnered All-American and All-SEC honors at the end of the season.

His performances and sometime heroics, keyed a Commodore run that included a share of the Southeastern Conference regular season championship and Vanderbilt's first-ever appearance in the College World Series. Other key achievements included the Commodores hosting just its second-ever NCAA Regional and the program's first-ever NCAA Super Regional during the Commodores run to Omaha.

A two-sport star for the Smyrna High, Gray became a Rutherford County legend by leading the Bulldogs to back-to-back state champions in football and a top five ranking on the diamond. AFLAC All-American, Gray committed to the Commodores prior to his senior season at Smyrna and later turned down a professional contract from the Chicago Cubs after the franchise selected him in the 27th round of the 2008 MLB Draft.

As a freshman, Gray led the Commodores with five saves while posting a 5-1 record, with 72 strikeouts in 58.2 innings of work. Gray earned second team All-SEC honors as a sophomore after posting a 10-5 record with a 3.48 record while emerging as the Commodores Friday starter. Gray also helped the Commodores advance to just their second-ever Super Regional with a memorable Regional series win at Louisville.

Gray also represented Team USA in the summer of 2009 and 2010, posting an astonishing 6-1 record in 13 career appearances with a 0.57 ERA and 64 strikeouts. He earned Summer League Player of the Year from Baseball America following his 2010 performance.

"Thanks everyone for the support this has been an awesome day for me and my family... Officially a part of the A's as of today!," Gray tweeted on his Twitter account on Monday evening.

"Although I'm ready to start my professional career. I am going to miss everyone at Vandy. Would not change it for the world."

Redshirt sophomore Corey Williams also signed a professional contract on Monday with the Minnesota Twins. The Alabama native was a surprising third round selection in this year's draft but proved he was well worth the pick after an outstanding postseason performance that included 8.2 shutout innings of relief with nine strikeouts and only four hits in six appearances.

Williams finished his final year in the Commodore Black and Gold with a 2-0 record and two saves in 38.1 innings pitched over the course of 29 appearances. He appeared in only 12 games in 2010 due to a knee injury he sustained that April against Florida when a line drive up the middle broke his kneecap.

Williams, who's fastball has been clocked at up to 95 mph, reportedly signed with the Twins for just under $600,000.

The duo become the sixth and seventh Commodores to turn pro this off-season. Star hitter and first baseman Aaron Westlake, a third round pick, signed with the Detroit Tigers for a reported $310,000 last week while veteran catcher Curt Casali also inked with the Tigers earlier this off-season and is currently with the Tigers Single-A team in the Midwest League.

Mt.Juliet native Taylor Hill signed a deal with the Washington Nationals after being selected in the sixth round of the draft while senior relief pitcher Mark Lamm signed with the Atlanta Braves after also being selected in the sixth round of this year's draft.

Senior utility player Bryan Johns signed with the Boston Red Sox as a non-drafted free agent this off-season as well.

Overall, twelve Vanderbilt players were selected in June's MLB Draft, a new Southeastern Conference record for most in one year.