Tampa Bay Rays 2012 First-Year Player Draft

Tampa Bay Rays 2012 First-Year Player Draft:

School: Providence (N.C.) High School

Born: 3/15/1991

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 6-3/220

• Was ranked by Baseball America as the No. 21 overall prospect in the draft, No. 2 third baseman, No. 1 out of the state of South Carolina and No. 13 among college juniors.
• As a junior at Clemson University, he finished with a .336 batting average (78-for-232), 10 home runs, 46 RBI, 63 walks, a .573 slugging percentage and a .480 on-base percentage. 
• Ranked 11^th in the ACC in batting average, fifth in slugging percentage, tied for first in walks, third in on-base percentage and tied for seventh in home runs.
• Joins Evan Longoria as the only third basemen drafted in the first round by the Rays.
• Becomes the 15^th first-round draft pick out of Clemson and the first ever taken by the Rays.
• Played predominantly first base during his first two years at Clemson (2010-11) before moving to third base for the 2012 season and was the first in Tigers history to be named First-Team All-ACC at two different infield positions during his career.
• In 2011, was named Second Team All-Atlantic Region by the American Baseball Coaches Association and a First Team All-ACC selection.
• Wore No. 8 at Clemson as a nod to Cal Ripken, Jr.
• The Flemington, N.J., native becomes the eighth New Jersey-born player drafted by the Rays.
• Was previously drafted in the 25^th round (No. 757 overall) by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2009.
• Three-time All-State selection at Providence Senior High School (N.C.) was named an AFLAC All-American as a junior in 2008 and played for the USA National team in 2007.
• Was the co-captain of the Tigers this season.
• Majors in Marketing at Clemson and is a two-time All-ACC Academic selection (2010-11).

School: Rockwall (Texas) High School

Born: 4/7/1993

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 6-0/180

• Ranked by ESPN.com as the 8^th-best high school baseball player in the state of Texas.
• Named to the ESPNHS preseason Texas All-State Baseball Team.
• As a senior at Rockwall (Texas) HS, hit .453 (39-for-86) with 11 doubles, 4 triples, 4 home runs, 14 RBI and 17 stolen bases.
• Among Texas Division 4A hitters, ranked tied for fifth in homers, sixth in stolen bases and seventh in doubles.
• Ranked 94^th in ESPN.com’s top 100 national high school prospects
• Was a two-sport high school athlete for the Rockwall Yellowjackets.
• Played defensive back and wide receiver in football. 
• Has recorded a 60-yard dash under 6.7 seconds and 40-yard dash in the 4.4 range.
• His high school teammate, Steve Bean, was drafted 29 spots earlier by the St. Louis Cardinals at No. 59 overall, and his high school opponent at nearby Rockwall-Heath (Texas) HS, Jake Thompson, was drafted just three picks later by the Detroit Tigers at No. 91 overall.
• Played for the D-Bat Mustangs (Dallas), the same club team that produced the following players: BAL Dylan Bundy (2011 first-round pick), LAD Clayton Kershaw, LAA Jordan Walden, BAL Jake Arrieta, LAA Vernon Wells, and former Rays Casey Fossum and Ben Grieve.
• Signed letter of intent with the University of Texas on Oct 9, 2011 after hitting .407 with nine home runs, 37 RBI and 24 SB as a junior at Rockwall.

School: Chipola College (JC)

Born: 5/24/1992

B/T: L/R

HT/WT: 5-9/180

• Ranked by Baseball America as the No. 102 overall prospect in the draft and the No. 16 prospect out of the state of Florida.
• Hit .387 (72-for-186) with 5 home runs, 38 RBI and 32 stolen bases with Chipola College in 2012.
• Was previously drafted by the Florida Marlins in the fourth round (137^th overall) of the 2010 June Draft, becoming just one of five NCAA Div. I freshman to be drafted in the first four rounds, but chose to attend the University of Tennessee.
• Played 51 games for the Volunteers in 2011, batting .270 (55-for-204) with 25 RBI, 30 runs and 11 doubles, and then transferred to Chipola after the season. 
• His father, Alvin, played linebacker at the University of Tennessee (1981-84) and was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the first round of the 1985 NFL Draft.
• His mother, Vicky, played basketball at the University of New Orleans.
• His uncle, Johnnie Jones, is the fourth-leading rusher in University of Tennessee history and spent time in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks.
• Was the recipient of the Ed & Marsha Hooper Athletic Scholarship at the University of Tennessee.
• Other notable players drafted out of Chipola College include: Jose Bautista (Pirates, 20^th round in 2000), Russell Martin (Dodgers, 17^th round in 2002) and Mat Gamel (Brewers, fourth round in 2005).

School: Santa Fe Christian (Calif.) High School

Born: 11/3/1993

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 6-5/175

• Ranked by Baseball America as the No. 57 prospect out of the state of California.
• Helped Santa Fe Christian (Calif.) HS to their second straight California Interscholastic Federation title, striking out 15 and adding an RBI double in a 4-3 win in the championship game at Tony Gwynn Stadium.
• Went 9-2 as a senior for Santa Fe with a 1.05 ERA (77-IP, 9-ER) and 127 strikeouts.
• Tossed a no-hitter as a junior and finished that season 11-2 with a 1.58 ERA (79.2-IP, 14-ER) and 143 strikeouts.
• Missed his sophomore season with a separated right shoulder.
• Committed to San Diego State following his freshman season, when he went 7-1 with a 1.16 ERA (62.1-IP, 8-ER) and 83 strikeouts.
• His favorite player growing up was Tony Gwynn, who is now the head coach at San Diego State University.

School: Raytown South (Mo.) High School

Born: 12/2/1993

B/T: R/L

HT/WT: 6-2/190

• Ranked the No. 1 high school player in the state of Missouri by ESPN.com, and the No. 85 high school player nationally.
• Is an alumni of Major League Baseball’s RBI program (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) and played for national RBI team at the 2011 Team USA Tournament of Stars, which showcases the top 16- to 18-year-old players from across the country.
• Committed to play at the University of Missouri next season where he planned to study environmental design and architecture.
• Played with the Chicago White Sox at the 2011 Area Code Games, the same team B.J. Upton played for in 2001.
• His high school teammate, first baseman Justin Chigbogu, was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fourth round this year.

School: King George (Va.) High School

Born: 1/31/1994

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 6-3/200

• Selected 212^th overall by the Rays but was ranked by Baseball America as the No. 132 overall prospect in the draft.
• Ranked by BA as the No. 1 high school prospect out of the state of Virginia (No. 3 overall).
• Named the Battlefield District Player of the Year after going 6-0 with 96 strikeouts in 48 innings during the regular season, guiding King George to the Group AA State Tournament and their first regional appearance since 1988.
• Committed to San Jacinto (Texas) Community College where Roger Clemens and Andy Pettitte once pitched.
• Idolizes Satchel Paige.
• Is an avid outdoorsman…enjoys fishing and bird calls.

School: College of Charleston

Born: 2/11/1990

B/T: R/L

HT/WT: 5-11/175

• As a senior at College of Charleston, was named a Louisville Slugger third-team All-American after batting .373 with 11 home runs, 46 RBI, 68 runs scored, 20 doubles, 29 stolen bases, 45 walks, a .483 on-base percentage and .614 slugging percentage.
• Selected as a semifinalist for the 2012 Dick Howser Award, given to the top amateur player in the country, and was named Southern Conference Player of the Year.
• Helped lead the Cougars to the Southern Conference regular-season title and their second NCAA bid in three years before losing to Georgia Tech in the regionals.
• Hit .329 with 7 home runs and 44 RBI in 61 games as a junior with the Cougars in 2011.
• Prior to his time at Charleston, went to Spartanburg Methodist College (JC) and was named All-Region both seasons he played there.
• Played four seasons at North Augusta (S.C.) High School, earning All-Region honors all four years.
• Named Class AAAA Player of the Year as a junior at North Augusta after posting a 9-3 record with 161 strikeouts in 84 innings as a pitcher and a .486 average with 16 doubles as an outfielder.
• Becomes the 2^nd-highest drafted outfielder out of College of Charleston, behind only NYY Brett Gardner who was drafted by the Yankees in the third round of the 2005 June Draft.

School: University of Kentucky

Born: 2/6/1991

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 6-2/220

• As a junior at University of Kentucky, hit .313 (68-for-217) with 46 runs, 13 doubles, 12 home runs, 49 RBI, 34 walks, a .424 on-base percentage, .539 slugging percentage and 9 stolen bases.
• Ranked among SEC leaders in slugging (7^th), runs (T-8^th), RBI (6^th), home runs (T-4^th) and walks (11^th).
• Named a semifinalist for the 2012 Dick Howser Trophy and USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award, both given to the top player in collegiate baseball, and Second Team All-SEC.

• Drafted in the 43rd round of the 2009 June Draft by the Boston Red Sox.
• Played for both the Cotuit Kettleers in the Cape Cod Baseball League.
• Named Kentucky’s Mr. Baseball and First Team High School All-American by MaxPreps.com in 2009 while at Covington Catholic (Ky.) High School…First Team All-State selection in 2008 and 2009 and was a three-time Northern Kentucky Player of the Year.
• Off the field, was a member of the 2010 SEC All-Freshman Honor Roll and has earned the Mt. St. Joseph College writing award and the Northern Kentucky University writing award.
• His father, Rich, played football at University of Kentucky and grandfather, Dick, was an All-American basketball player at LSU.

School: University of Arizona

Born: 5/21/1991

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 6-0/170

• During his junior year at University of Arizona, ranked among Pac-12 conference leaders in runs (T-4^th with 54), hits (T-11^th with 75) and stolen bases (T-1^st with 17)…was a 2012 All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention, 2011 All-Pac-10 First Team selection and a 2010 Pac-10 Honorable Mention.
• Ranked by college coaches as the Pac-12’s most underrated hitter and best baserunner for College Baseball Insider prior to the 2012 season.
• Played for the Hyannis Harbor Hawks of the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2011…named to the West Division Cape Cod All-Star Team.
• Becomes the fifth Nevada-born player drafted by the Rays, joining Toby Hall (1997), Andrew Gans (2008), Jeff Malm (2009) and Jake Hager (2011) and the second out of Bishop Gorman High School (also Malm).
• Is enrolled at University of Arizona in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences with a major in sociology.
• His brother, John, was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the 38th round of the 2008 June Draft out of Bishop Gorman (Nev.) HS.

School: University of Tampa

Born: 10/20/1988

B/T: L/L

HT/WT: 6-1/195

• As a fifth-year senior at University of Tampa, was named the Sunshine State Conference Pitcher of the Year after going 8-3 with a 2.27 ERA, 85 strikeouts and 11 walks.
• Named the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings South Region Pitcher of the Year and Daktronics South Region Pitcher of the Year.
• Sat out the 2010 season due to Tommy John surgery.
• Pitched for Vanderbilt University as a freshman in 2008 and sat out the 2009 season after transferring.
• Drafted in the 42^nd round by the Cincinnati Reds in the 2007 June Draft.
• Was a four-year letter winner in both baseball and soccer at Kinnelon High School.
• His favorite athletes include Andy Pettitte and Lebron James.

School: St. Thomas Aquinas (Kan.) High School

Born: 11/9/1993

B/T: L/L

HT/WT: 6-3/180

• Named a Second Team 5A All-State selection by the Kansas Baseball Coaches Association as a senior at St. Thomas Aquinas (Kan.) HS.
• In 2011 as a junior, hit .434 with 12 doubles and 7 stolen bases.
• Committed to University of Dayton.
• Also played football and was an All-5A Honorable Mention as a wide receiver.

School: Carl Albert (Okla.) High School

Born: 9/17/1993

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 6-0/190

• Finished his high school career with Carl Albert HS with a school-record 74 home runs, one shy of Jeff Clement’s national record.
• Finished the 2012 season with a .391 average, 28 homers and 81 RBI.
• In 2011 helped his high school team win its third state title in six years in the Class 5A state final.
• Committed to the University of Oklahoma.

School: Cal State-Fullerton

Born: 12/27/1990

B/T: L/R

HT/WT: 6-2/180

• As a junior at Cal State-Fullerton, went 10-4 with a 2.83 ERA (114.1-IP, 36-ER) with 70 strikeouts and only 13 walks in 17 apps.
• In the Big West Conference, ranked 1^st in innings pitched (114.1), 8^th in ERA, 6^th in SO and tied for 1^st in wins and was named the BWC’s Pitcher of the Year.
• In 2010, was named a Freshman All-American by Collegiate Baseball and Second Team Freshman All-American by the NCBWA.
• Previously drafted by the Rays in the 20^th round of the 2009 June Draft but elected to go to college.
• Grew up in Merced, Calif. …in his four-year career Buhach Colony (Calif.) HS, went 33-5 and averaged nearly two strikeouts per inning.
• Majored in communications…his older brother, Brock, is currently a graduate assistant coach for Cal State-Fullerton.
• Favorites include: Chipper Jones (baseball player), AT&T Park (favorite place to play), "The Hangover" (movie), Will Smith (Actor) and the Atlanta Braves (team).

School: Lackawanna College

Born: 11/15/1991

B/T: L/L

HT/WT: 6-4/200

• Ranked No. 316 in Baseball America’s Top 500 overall, No. 36 overall left-handed pitcher and No. 3 prospect out of Pennsylvania.
• In 2012, went 10-1 with a 1.80 ERA in 70 innings pitched while tallying 101 strikeouts and 35 walks in his second season with Lackawanna College, helping them set a school record for wins in a season with 47. 
• In high school, was named All-Delco as a senior, going 5-1 with a 1.41 ERA (38.1-IP, 6-ER) and 58 SO in 8 apps for Central League champion Marple Newtown (Penn.) HS.
• Previously drafted out of high school by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 13th round of the 2010 June Draft and again following his first year at Lackawanna by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 21st round of the 2011 June Draft.

School: Herkimer County CC

Born: 7/3/1991

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 6-0/180

• In his second year at Herkimer County CC, went 6-1 with 91 strikeouts and a 2.62 ERA (58.1-IP, 17-ER) and was selected to the 2012 All Mountain Valley Conference Baseball Team and named a First Team All-Division III performer.
• Went 5-2 with a 3.35 ERA while recording 50 strikeouts in 37 innings in 2010.
• Began his collegiate career at Austin Peay University in 2009 but transferred after redshirting his freshman year.

• Also competed in both indoor and outdoor track and field at Austin Peay, participating in hurdles and long jump events.
• Was a First-Team All-Northern County in 55-meter hurdles and posted nation’s 17th best time of 2009 in 200-meter hurdles (28.34) according to MileSplit US

School: University of North Carolina

Born: 10/24/1990

B/T: L/R

HT/WT: 5-8/175

• In 2012 hit .245 (54-for-220) with 4 home runs, 28 RBI and 12 stolen bases as a junior after hitting .299 (141-for-472) in his first two seasons combined at North Carolina.
• Made the move to shortstop for the 2012 season after playing his freshman and sophomore seasons at second base.
• Named All-ACC Second Team as a sophomore and freshman.
• In 2011, appeared in 29 games with the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod League and was named to the Cape Cod All-League Team.
• Was a 2009 preseason Louisville All-American selection during his senior year at Germantown (Pa.) Academy and graduated as the school’s all-time hits leader.
• Has a younger brother, Sean, who was drafted in the third round of the 2010 June Draft by the Boston Red Sox and is currently playing in their farm system.
• His father, Tom, played baseball at the University of Pennsylvania.
• Majored in exercise and sport science at North Carolina.

School: Oregon State University

Born: 10/28/1988

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 5-11/185

• Named to the All-Pac-12 Honorable Mention team for the second straight year as a senior, finishing third in the Pac-12 with 19 doubles while batting .286 (64-for-224) with 7 home runs and 36 RBI in 60 games.
• Named Honorable Mention All-Pac 10 in his first season at Oregon State after batting .280 (47-for-168) with 4 HR and 26 RBI as a junior in 2011.
• Became the second player in Beavers history to hit for the cycle, going 4-for-4 with 4 RBI against Portland on May 10, 2011.
• Played for Orange Coast College from 2008-09…hit .321 as a freshman.
• Enjoys surfing, snowboarding, basketball and golf.

School: East Carolina University

Born: 11/24/1989

B/T: R/L

HT/WT: 6-2/195

• Named first team All-Conference USA as a senior, and owned a 7-6 record with a 2.12 ERA and 68 SO in 16 starts.
• Ranked among league leaders in innings pitched (1^st, 106.1), ERA (2nd), strikeouts (2^nd, 68) and wins (2^nd, 7), and led the conference in pickoffs (9) for the second time in three years.
• In 2011, earned Second Team All-Conference USA honors after going 7-3 with a 2.26 ERA.
• In his first three years at ECU, combined to go 19-12 with a 3.61 ERA (249.1-IP, 100-ER) and 204 SO.
• Played for the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod League in 2011…played for the Hyannis Mets/Harbor Hawks in 2009-10.
• In 2009 named a Freshman All-American by Louisville Slugger and named to the Conference USA All-Freshman Team and NCAA Greenville Regional All Tournament.
• Also played basketball at Fuquay Carina (N.C.) HS…named 4AA Player of the Year as a senior by the N.C. Baseball Coaches Association in 2008.

School: Oklahoma City University

Born: 3/2/1990

B/T: L/L

HT/WT: 6-3/225

• In 2011, named NAIA Baseball Player of the Year after leading all of college baseball with 27 home runs and batting .388 with a .826 slugging pct. in his second season at Oklahoma City University.
• Played in 2009-10 for Compton College (JC) and combined to hit 9 home runs with 78 RBI.
• Majoring in kinesiology.
• Nicknamed “El Gato Grande” (the big cat).

School: Cal State-Sacramento

Born: 10/11/1989

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 6-3/230

• Played his only season for Cal State-Sacramento in 2012 after transferring Oral Roberts University, where he played for one year…redshirted the 2011 season after transferring from Oral Roberts…played his freshman and sophomore seasons at Sacramento City College.
• Posted a 3.90 ERA (30-IP, 13-ER) with 8 saves in 26 apps as a senior for Cal State-Sacramento in 2012.
• Graduated in 2007 from Florin (Calif.) HS where he holds the all-time strikeout record…also lettered in football, earning team defensive player of the year honors.

School: Central Michigan University

Born: 5/20/1990

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 6-3/215

• Went 3-3 with a 2.66 ERA (44-IP, 13-ER) overall as a senior at Central Michigan University, including 3-1 with a 1.98 ERA and 7 saves, fourth most in single-season school history.
• Played previously at Heartland Community College from 2009-10.
• Earned All-Area and All-State honors as a junior and a senior at East Leyden (Ill.) HS.
• Previously selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 17^th round of the 2008 June Draft.

School: University of Illinois

Born: 10/15/1989

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 6-1/205

• Named First Team All-Big Ten and Academic All-Big Ten in 2012 after hitting .318 with a .432 OBP.
• Finished first in Illinois history and fifth in Big Ten history with 98 career stolen bases.
• Named Third Team All-Big Ten in 2009 and 2011, and combined to hit .312 (179-for-574) with 20 homers, 107 RBI and 76 stolen bases at Illinois from 2009-11.
• Broke the school record with 41 steals in 45 attempts in 2010, ranking fifth in the nation.
• Named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All-American in 2009 and was also named Third Team All-Big Ten and Big Ten All-Freshman team.
• Has been drafted twice previously…Pittsburgh drafted him in the 43^rd round in 2011 and Arizona drafted him in the 49^th round in 2008.
• Hit a home run in the 2001 Little League World Series against the Bronx, N.Y. team that featured Danny Almonte.
• While at Illinois, was a member of National Honor Society and the Student Ambassadors.

School: Texas Tech University

Born: 11/22/1988

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 6-1/195

• In 2012, hit .325 (41-for-126) in 34 games as a fifth-year senior at Texas Tech University…in 2011, was an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention and an Academic All-Big 12 First Team…sat out the 2010 season after transferring from Baylor University…played previously at Midland College (2008-09).
• Played for the Falmouth Commodores of the Cape Cod League in 2011.
• Previously selected in the 37^th round of the 2011 June Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers.
• His father, Dale, was a 4-year letterman (1981-84) in the Red Raider baseball program.
• Was an energy commerce major at Texas Tech.

School: Cal State-Los Angeles

Born: 9/8/1988

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 6-1/195

• Named the 2012 NCAA ABCA/Rawlings West Region Player of the Year and Player of the Year by Daktronics and by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers’ Association.
• Named the California Collegiate Athletic Association’s Most Valuable Player after he led the conference in hitting (.451), slugging percentage (.533), hits (79), runs scored (47), doubles (23) and walks (33).
• Previously played at Riverside City College, where he was named All-Orange Empire Conference in 2008.
• Grew up and went to high school in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
• Enjoys surfing and ping-pong.

School: University of Louisiana-Lafayette

Born: 4/9/1991

B/T: R/L

HT/WT: 6-1/185

• Went 3-3 with a 3.42 ERA (50-IP, 19-ER) in 17 apps, including 6 starts, during his junior season in 2012.
• Played previously at North Central Texas College where he was named to the Texas/New Mexico JUCO All-Star Team in 2010.
• Previously selected in the 30^th round of the 2009 June Draft by the New York Mets.

School: Western Oregon University

Born: 8/6/1990

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 6-1/195

• Earned Great Northwest Athletic Conference First Team honors after going 5-2 with a 4.65 ERA (62-IP, 32-ER).
• Went 3-0 with a 3.62 ERA (27.1-IP, 11-ER) in 4 apps, all starts, for the Wolves in 2011.
• Played two seasons at Chemeketa Community College (2009-10) and was named Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges Southern Region All-Star in 2010.
• Is a criminal justice major and psychology minor.

School: University of Oregon

Born: 2/25/1990

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 6-3/205

• Named 2012 Pac-12 Pitcher of the Year, 2012 Pac-12 All-Conference and a 2012 Golden Spikes Award Semifinalist.
• Pitched for the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod League and finished the summer with a 2-2 record and a 3.03 ERA.
• In 2010 was a Pac-10 All-Academic Honorable Mention.
• Pitched for the Glacier Pilots of the Alaska Baseball League in 2009, a summer league team which counts Greg Dobbs (2000), Jacoby Ellsbury (2003), Ben Francisco (2001), Eric Hinske (1996), Ryan Ludwick (1997), Mark McGwire (1982) and J.T. Snow (1987) among its alumni.
• Previously selected in the 38^th round by the Minnesota Twins in the 2011 June Draft.
• Majored in political science at Oregon.

School: University of California-Davis

Born: 2/25/1990

B/T: L/L

HT/WT: 5-9/180

• Went 6-3 with a 3.15 ERA (85.2-IP, 30-ER) in 13 apps (12 starts) as a senior at UC-Davis.
• In his previous three seasons at UC-Davis, was 11-17 with a 4.51 ERA (238-IP, 143-ER).
• Owned horses and was an avid rodeo competitor when he was younger.

School: Iowa Western Community College

Born: 10/30/1991

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 6-3/225

• Was on the mound for the save and got the final out as Iowa Western Community College won the  NJCAA World Series…was named the Most Valuable Player of the NJCAA World Series.
• Played high school ball for Central (Mo.) HS and was named First Team All-Conference Pitcher, Second Team All-Conference and was inducted into the Central Baseball Hall of Fame in 2010.

School: University of Kentucky

Born: 4/30/1990

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 6-2/210

• Hit .290 (62-for-214) with 3 homers and 36 RBI with the Wildcats in 2012, splitting time at catcher and first base.
• During his time at Kentucky, split time at catcher with Luke Maile, who was drafted by the Rays eighth round of this year’s June Draft.
• Hit .264 (46-for-174) with 7 homers in 2011 while ranking among SEC leaders in pickoffs and runners caught stealing defensively.
• Previously selected in the 39^th round of the 2011 June Draft by the San Francisco Giants.
• Played with the St. Cloud River Bats of the Northwoods League in 2011.
• Was a 2009 SEC Freshman Academic Honor Roll in 2009.
• Was a Louisville Slugger High School All-American his senior season at Farragut (Tenn.) High School where he was First Team All-State as a senior and led his team to two state championships and three district championships.

School: Shadow Hills (Calif.) HS

Born: 12/14/1993

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 6-1/175

• Helped lead Shadow Hills (Calif.) HS to the playoffs for a second straight season in 2012, hitting .426 (29-for-68) with 5 homers and 27 RBI in 19 games.
• Was born in Ohio, but has lived in North Carolina, Florida and California.

School: Embry-Riddle University

Born: 12/2/1988

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 6-3/185

• As a fifth-year senior in 2012, hit .340/.396/.449 (84-for-247) with 16 doubles, 1 triple, 3 HR and 42 RBI.
• Was an Honorable Mention All-American in 2011 at Embry-Riddle University (Fla.) and was named first team All-Conference after he led the team in RBI (63), total bases (143), slugging percentage (.598), doubles (22) and home runs (9).
• Played previously at University of Nebraska (2009-10) and was named to the Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll in 2008.
• Attended Omaha Central (Neb.) HS where he was named Nebraska’s Player of the Year and was tabbed as a First Team All-District V selection by the Nation High School Baseball Coaches Association.
• Selected to play in the 2006 USA Baseball Tournament of Stars.

School: Lewis & Clark College (JC)

Born: 7/8/1989

B/T: L/L

HT/WT: 6-4/220

• Went 2-1 with a 2.48 ERA (36.1-IP, 10-ER) in 10 apps (7 starts) in his first year with Lewis & Clark College.
• Attended Green River Community College for two seasons and earned Second Team All-League honors as a sophomore with a 1.69 ERA and 92 SO in 57 innings.
• His uncle, Brian Raynes, played in the Detroit Tigers organization.
• Is the second player drafted by the Rays out of Lewis & Clark State College (also Matthew Stabelfeld in the 41st round in 2009).

School: Florida Atlantic University

Born: 12/5/1989

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 5-11/185

• Posted a 9-3 record with a 3.09 (32-ER/93.1-IP) as a senior in 2012.
• Named to the All-Sun Belt First Team after he ranked fourth in the conference in ERA, third in opponents batting average, fifth in IP and SO and tied for first in wins.
• Attended J.W. Mitchell High School in New Port Richey, FL, and was born in Clearwater, Fla.

School: Colorado Mesa University

Born: 10/30/1989

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 6-3/205

• Spent his first and only season at Colorado Mesa University in 2012.
• Pitched for Abilene Christian University in 2011.
• Attended Wenatchee Valley Community College for two seasons (2009-10).
• Previously drafted in the 35th round of the 2010 June Draft by the Kansas City Royals.
• Relief pitchers Sergio Romo and Brendan Donnelly both attended Colorado Mesa University when it was known as Mesa State College.

School: Panola College

Born: 2/10/1993

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 5-11/180

• Missed the majority of his 2012 freshman season at Panola College due to injury, but hit .291 with 5 doubles and 1 home run.
• Previously selected in the 16^th round in the 2011 June Draft by the Rays (No. 510 overall).
• During his sophomore year of high school, was 1 of 40 players chosen by the Texas High School Baseball Coaches Association to play in the Sun Belt Games.

School: Bentley University

Born: 9/18/1989

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 6-3/215

• Selected to the East Region Division II All-East Second Team by the American Baseball Coaches Association, and selected participate for the Division II-III team in the 38th annual New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association All-Star Game.
• Three-time All-Northest-10 Conference honoree, including a First Team selection in 2012, going 8-3 with a 2.26 ERA and 78 SO in 79.2 innings, and became just the second pitcher in Bentley history to win eight games in a season.
• In three seasons for Bentley University, is the Falcons all-time leader with 21 wins, 229 strikeouts and a 2.81 ERA.
• Missed the 2011 surgery following Tommy John surgery.
• Did not play baseball during his first year at Bentley, is currently a graduate student pursuing his master’s degree after earning a BS in finance.

School: Cal State – Los Angeles

Born: 7/28/1989

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 5-7/220

• Hit .361/.409/.525 (22-for-61) with 4 doubles, 2 HR and 8 RBI in 24 games (20 starts) for Cal State – Los Angeles in 2012.
• Named Second Team All-California Collegiate Athletic Association honors in 2011 as a junior.
• Played previously at Brigham Young University (2008-09).

School: Northwestern University

Born: 10/30/1989

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 5-9/190

• As a senior at Northwestern, ranked second on the team with a .291 batting average (48-for-165) and threw out 41 percent of baserunners attempting to steal.
• Named to the watch list for the Johnny Bench Award, given to the nation’s top catcher, prior to the 2012 season.
• Named Academic All-Big Ten in his junior and senior seasons.
• As a junior in high school, threw a no-hitter in a state semifinal victory en route to winning the Class 2A state championship.
• Is the Rays ever first draft pick out of Northwestern.

School: Howard College

Born: 9/23/1991

B/T: R/R

HT/WT: 5-10/180

• Posted a 2-0 record with a 1.15 ERA (2-ER/15.2-IP) in 2012.
• Previously drafted by the Rangers in the 29^th round of the 2011 June Draft and the Reds in the 37^th round of the 2010 June Draft.