“A lot of it was a question about being from Harvard and the health of my arm,” Farkes said. “I showed my arm was healthy, and when the Red Sox made an offer I jumped on it.”

Signing a pro contract was the overarching goal for Farkes, but getting inked by his favorite team has made the experience doubly sweet. Farkes is from Boston, and his family has held season tickets to the Red Sox ever since he was six years old. Now, the kid who grew up in the shadow of Fenway Park and stayed in town to play his college ball will get the chance to work up the minor league ladder with the team that is in his blood.

“It’s a dream come true. To be a part of [the Red Sox] organization is just a huge honor for me,” Farkes said. “It’s the best of both worlds—the chance to play pro ball and play for my favorite team.”

Farkes will be trying to make good on that chance with Lowell for the rest of the New York-Penn League season, which lasts until early September. Although he definitely plans on finishing school, and could possibly return to take classes this fall, his clear priority is giving baseball his best shot.

“I’d like to come back [to Harvard] this fall, but my first commitment is to playing pro ball, and if the Red Sox want me to keep playing this fall, I’m going to do that,” Farkes said.

After all, he is no longer a college student. He’s made the commitment, and is now a professional.

—Staff writer Caleb W. Peiffer can be reached at cpeiffer@fas.harvard.edu.