Rays sign fourth-round Draft pick Koch
Right-handed pitcher will report to Class A Short Season Hudson Valley
ST. PETERSBURG -- The Rays signed right-handed pitcher Brandon Koch, selected in the fourth round of the MLB Draft, on Thursday and announced that he will report to Class A Short Season Hudson Valley.
"I just started getting calls and they rang in and we agreed, and it was just a really cool feeling getting taken, having my name called by the Rays, especially by such a class-act organization like them," said Koch. "I'm really excited about it and really excited to get going."
Koch was drafted out of Dallas Baptist University, which also produced Athletics infielder/outfielder Ben Zobrist, who played for the Rays for nine seasons (2006-2014).
"He's the DBU example, great guy, great player, hard worker," Koch said. "That's kind of what we pride ourselves on as a program."
Featuring a plus slider that people have told him is "unhittable," Koch has the makings of a prospect who could ascend the ranks to the Major Leagues quickly.
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"I think I'm in a good place right now," Koch said. "I've put myself in a good position. I've got to keep working hard, keep developing, just keep making progress toward the ultimate goal of making the big leagues. I wouldn't say I'm close but I don't see anything stopping me from making it as fast as possible."