Dodgers RBI congratulates five alumni selected in MLB Draft
The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) today officially congratulated its five alumni with ties to Dodgers RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) and its predecessor MLB Urban Youth Academy/Boys and Girls Clubs of Venice RBI selected in last week's First-Year Player Draft: right-hander Dillon Tate (first round, fourth overall, Rangers), shortstop Brendon Davis (fifth round, Dodgers), right-hander Tyler Mark (sixth round, Arizona), catcher Dalton Blumenfeld (12th round, Angels) and first baseman Devin Davis (25th round, Rays).
"We're pleased to congratulate the five outstanding young men selected in this year's first-year player draft," said LADF Executive Director Nichol Whiteman. "Dillon, Brendon, Tyler, Dalton and Devin are shining examples of every youngster that is a part of Dodgers RBI. We are lucky to support an exemplary league full of talent."
Dodgers RBI is a comprehensive, urban youth baseball program for boys and girls, ages 5-18. Working together with local organizations, parents and volunteers, Dodgers RBI currently offers 4,000 youth the opportunity to learn and enjoy the games of baseball and softball with special emphasis on education, recreation and healthy habits for young people. The Dodgers Foundation provides uniforms and equipment, recruitment assistance, cash grants and education/health resources to all teams. Dodgers RBI is part of an international Major League Baseball initiative, which today encompasses more than 200 cities and over 200,000 youth, helping them grow on and off the field.
Dodgers RBI seeks to promote greater inclusion of under-resourced youth, increase participation and interest in baseball and softball, encourage academic participation and achievement, stress healthy habits and wellness and focus on fun, teamwork and fair play.
Tate, a right-handed pitcher from UC Santa Barbara and MLB Urban Youth Academy /Boys and Girls Clubs of Venice RBI alumnus, was selected fourth overall by the Rangers after going 8-5 with a 2.26 ERA (26 ER/103.1 IP) and 111 strikeouts against 28 walks in 14 starts as a junior this year. Tate, who has already signed with Texas, attended Claremont High School and was the top-rated pitcher in this year's draft, according to Baseball America.
The Dodgers selected longtime MLB Urban Youth Academy /Boys and Girls Clubs of Venice RBI member and Lakewood (CA) High School shortstop Davis in the fifth round. Davis missed his senior season due to a fractured left wrist.
In the sixth round, the Arizona Diamondbacks selected right-handed pitcher Mark, a MLB Urban Youth Academy/Boys and Girls Clubs of Venice RBI alumnus who played at Concordia University-Irvine. In 2015, Mark went 5-1 with a 1.24 ERA (7 ER in 51.0 IP) in 38 relief appearances for Concordia, while setting an NAIA single-season record with 24 saves.
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim selected Hamilton High School catcher and Dodgers RBI alumnus Blumenfeld in the 12th round. Blumenfeld, who has committed to play at Loyola Marymount, hit .594 with nine home runs during his senior year at Hamilton.
In the 25th round, the Tampa Bay Rays selected Valencia first baseman and Dodgers RBI alumnus Davis, who hit .413 this year with six home runs and was named a first-team All Foothill League selection.
Dodgers Carl Crawford and Jimmy Rollins are both former MLB RBI players. To learn more about Dodgers RBI please visit www.dodgers.com/LADF.