Rays Picks: Day 3

31st Round - 949th Overall: LHP Aaron Dott Wisconsin-Whitewater

[Added by Doug] From the UW-W site: Dott, a junior left hander, led the Warhawk pitching staff. He went 7-6 with a 3.16 earned run average. He had four complete games, one save, struck out 119 in 99.2 innings, and opponents hit .227 against him. His innings pitched total for a season is third in the UW-W record book, and he is second for strikeouts in a season. Dott has moved into second in the school career strikeout list with 234.

Height: 6'4 Weight: 220
Class: Junior Major: Business
Nickname: Dotter
Hobbies: sports, tv, sleeping, movies
Favorite Movie: Green Mile
Favorite Movie Star: Adam Sandler
Favorite Sports Team: Brewers
Favorite Sports Star: Michael Jordan

32nd Round - 979th Overall: RHP Alex Besaw Skagit Valley College

[Added by Doug] 6'2", 220 lbs. Besaw originally signed with the Oregon State Beavers out of Sheldon High School, but left OSU to attend Skagit Valley College in Mount Vernon, Washington.

In 2009 he was 5-1 with a 4.09 ERA. In 50.2 innings he struck out 49 and walked 32.

This doesn't sound good: Starter Alex Besaw has drawn interest, though he has stated it will take a large signing bonus to lure him away from his scholarship at Central Florida.



33rd Round - 1009th Overall: RHP Ryan McCarney Cal State-Northridge

[Added by Doug] Ht/Wt: 6'2"/190.
Birthdate: 02/24/1987
B/T: S/R

2009: After transferring from the College of the Canyons, Ryan McCarney will make his debut for the Matadors during the 2009 season ... McCarney was named the starting pitcher in the season opener at Pepperdine, pitched 7.0 innings and gave up only six hits on the day (2/20) ... struck out five batters in 5.2 innings pitched as the starter in the Matador's 8-4 victory vs. Texas Tech (2/27) ... struckout four batters in 3.2 innings in-relief vs. BYU (3/17) ... tied his season high in strikeouts with five over 2.2 innings pitched at LMU (3/24) ... only gave up two runs over 6.1 innings, and picked-off his seventh runner of the season against the #19-ranked UCSB Gauchos (3/29) ... allowed zero hits in 1.1 innings pitched as a reliever at USC (4/7) ... currently holds the single-season record for pickoffs with nine ... allowed only three hits in 3.0 innings, and picked off one runner vs. Cal State Fullerton (4/9) ... struckout two batters and allowed zero hits in 1.1 innings vs. Cal State Bakersfield (4/14) ... allowed only one hit and zero runs in-relief vs. Pepperdine (4/21) ... struckout two batters in 1.1 innings at UNLV (4/29) ... struckout one batter in 1.0 innings pitched vs. Pacific (5/16) ... finished the season with a team high nine pick-offs and struckout forty-one batters in 49.2 innings pitched.

He was drafted in the 29th round of the 2008 Draft by the Cleveland Indians. His father John played football for the Oregon Ducks. He roots for the Jacksonville Jaguars and always eats a Subway sandwich two hours before a game as his pregame ritual.

34th Round - 1039th Overall: SS Kyle Spraker Loyola Marymount

[Added by Doug] He was born January 10, 1986.
Height / Weight: 5-10 / 180
B/T: R/R

Played 2 years at LMU after transferring from Cal as a junior.

In 2009 he hit .301/.397/.464 in 209 AB's with 4 HR's and 2 SB's. In the field he made 13 errors in 155 chances, a .916 fielding percentage.


35th Round - 1069th Overall: OF Chris Murrill Nicholls State

[Added by Doug] Born on June 5, 1988.
Height: 6-2
B/T: L/L
Interesting fact: Older brother's name is Bubba.

Transferred to Nicholls State after playing at Alabama Southern CC.

From the Nicholls State release:

"We are very excited about Chris getting drafted," said Head Coach Chip Durham. "He has all the intangibles to make it to the highest level possible. Clint is also a great young man that has the arm strength to out power his opponents."
...
The Mobile, Ala. native was second on the squad this season in batting average with a .344 average and in slugging percentage with a .487 mark from the leadoff spot. Murrill also was 10th in the nation in triples with seven, while leading the Southland Conference in stolen bases with 27.

36th Round - 1099th Overall: RHP Jeff Cinadr Toledo

[Added by Doug] Born on August 8, 1987. Ht/Wt: 6'6"/195.

Majoring in bioengineering and planning to attend medical school.

In 2009 he was 2-0 with a 4.15 ERA in 30 appearances, all in relief. In 39.0 innings he struck out 34 and walked 8. He held opposing batters to a .213 average, but allowed 6 HR's.


37th Round - 1129th Overall: C Austin Maddox Eagle's View Academy

[Added by Doug] Ht/Wt: 6'3"/220.
Bats/Throws: Right/Right.

Has signed with the University of Florida, looks to be a tough sign for the Rays.

Perfect Game had this to say about him:

Maddox has a big strong build and an absolute cannon behind the plate. His throws were 90mph from behind the plate not just in the workout but also between innings of the game. He shows ability behind the plate receiving and he is very quick for his size popping a 1.75. He has big time power potential at the plate and can drive the ball out of any park. He shows good leverage in his swing and creates easy power. He also got on the mound and pitched 91-94 and showed off his arm strength. Maddox has great tools and is a top two way guy in the 2009 class. He is an outstanding student and has made a verbal commitment to the Florida Gators.

38th Round - 1159th Overall: 3B Drew Hillman Orange Coast College

[Added by Doug] Ht/Wt: 6'1"/200.
Bats/Throws: R/R.

Hillman was a two-time All-Orange Empire Conference, All-Southern California and All-American for the Pirates. He batted .363 and led the team with 11 home runs and 53 RBI, leading Coast to its first state championship since 1980.


39th Round - 1189th Overall: LHP Dan April Mercer

[Added by Doug] Ht/Wt: 6'1"/185.
Born on November 8, 1986.

He's a senior, so signing him should be no problem.

Played 2 seasons for Mercer after playing at Colby Community College.

For 2009 he was 3-5 with a 6.32 ERA. In 62.2 innings he struck out 56 and walked 19 and allowed 12 HR's.

40th Round - 1219th Overall: LHP James Pazos Highland High School

[Added by Doug] He's an Arizona State University commit, so doubtful he'll sign with the Rays.

The college guys will probably sign, the JuCo guys might, and I'd be surprised if a high schooler taken this late signs. Austin Maddox was considered a top-3-rounds talent but slipped due to his college commitment. The Rays took a flier on him, but he'll be attending the University of Florida.

Still 10 rounds to go, I'll update once they're done.