Rays select outfielder Garrett Whitley (no. 13) in first round of 2015 MLB First-Year Player Draft

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.-The Tampa Bay Rays have selected outfielder Garrett Whitley from Niskayuna (N.Y.) High School with the No. 13 overall pick in the first round of the 2015 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

The 18-year-old is one of six high school outfielders taken by the Rays with their first overall selection (Josh Sale, 2010; Delmon Young, 2003; Rocco Baldelli, 2000; Josh Hamilton, 1999; and Paul Wilder, 1996). During his senior season, hit .351 with a .479 on-base percentage to go along with three home runs, 13 runs batted in and 24 runs scored. Whitley also went 15-for-15 in stolen base attempts in 20 games played. 

Whitley, the first major league draft pick from Niskayuna High School, is the highest high school draft selection from New York state since the Cleveland Indians selected Manny Ramirez in 1991, also with the No. 13 selection.

Whitley, ranked No. 7 overall in the draft and the No. 2 outfielder in the draft by Baseball America, was named the Gatorade New York Baseball Player of the Year.

Entering his senior season, he was named to both the USA TODAY American Family Insurance All-USA Preseason Baseball Team and the Perfect Game First Team Preseason All-American Team. He was named to the All Area Code Team at the most recent Area Code Baseball Games held in Long Beach, Calif.

Whitley, who maintained a 3.84 grade point average in the classroom, signed a national letter of intent to play at Wake Forest University next season-the same school Baldelli committed to before signing with the Rays.

GARRETT WHITLEY, OF

Bats/Throws: R/R | Height/Weight: 6-2/195 | Born: 3/13/97 in Melrose, MA | Hometown: Niskayuna, NY

Rays First Selections, All-Time

1996     OF Paul Wilder                         No. 29 overall

1997     RHP Jason Standridge             No. 31 overall

1998     1B Josh Pressley                     No. 132 overall (4th round)

1999     OF Josh Hamilton                    No. 1 overall

2000     OF Rocco Baldelli                    No. 6 overall

2001     RHP Dewon Brazelton              No. 3 overall

2002     SS B.J. Upton                          No. 2 overall

2003     OF Delmon Young                   No. 1 overall

2004     RHP Jeff Niemann                    No. 4 overall

2005     RHP Wade Townsend               No. 8 overall

2006     3B Evan Longoria                    No. 3 overall

2007     LHP David Price                       No. 1 overall

2008     SS Tim Beckham                     No. 1 overall

2009     CF LeVon Washington             No. 30 overall

2010     OF Josh Sale                           No. 17 overall

2011     RHP Taylor Guerrieri                No. 24 overall

2012     3B Richie Shaffer                     No. 25 overall

2013     C Nick Ciuffo                            No. 21 overall

2014     1B Casey Gillaspie                   No. 20 overall

2015     OF Garrett Whitley                    No. 13 overall

Notable selections with the 13th pick in draft history (since 1965)

Chris Sale, LHP, White Sox, 2010

Aaron Hill, SS, Blue Jays, 2003

Casey Kotchman, 1B, Angels, 2001

Paul Konerko, C, Dodgers, 1994

Manny Ramirez, 3B, Indians, 1991

Brent Mayne, C, Royals, 1989

Bill Spiers, SS, Brewers, 1987

Gary Templeton, SS, Cardinals, 1974

Frank Tanana, LHP, Angels, 1971