Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: Not Getting any Better
Louisville’s Ray a hard-working presence atop the order
ZACH BUCHANAN / CINCINNATI.COM
The Cincinnati Reds have the No. 2 pick in the upcoming draft, presenting them a chance to grab a truly impactful player. Leading up to the draft, Reds beat reporters C. Trent Rosecrans and Zach Buchanan will offer looks at prospects who could interest the Reds at that spot. The first is University of Louisville outfielder Corey Ray.
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. — If Corey Ray had his way as a teenager, he’d have been toiling away in the low minors for the Seattle Mariners the last three years. His dad had other plans for the young outfielder.
Ray was selected in the 33rd round by Seattle out of high school in 2013. Presented with a bonus that was modest by draft standards but tantalizing to a kid from the south side of Chicago, Ray was dead set on beginning his professional career.
“You want to use sports to get out of the south side of Chicago,” Ray said. “I saw my opportunity to make money doing something that I love, playing the game of baseball. I can’t remember how much money I was being offered, but I had never seen that amount of money. I had barely seen $100 in my life.”
His father, also named Corey Ray, shut that notion down immediately, a decision of which the elder Ray now says he was only 70 percent sure. Both father and son are at 100 percent certainty now.
Ray ended up attending the University of Louisville and has transformed himself into one of the top prospects in the upcoming draft. He’s a speedy, top-of-the-order hitter who can play all three outfield positions, though there is some question about his ability to stick in center in the pros.
Through Friday, the left-handed hitting junior was batting .313 with a .978 OPS. He’s hit 13 home runs and stolen 35 bases in as many attempts, both career highs with plenty of games left to play. Even his dad is surprised at how well taking the college route has paid off.
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Ed. note: much more to this story at the link above. While this story is from the Cincinnati.com site, Ray is not typically thought of as a player the Reds might end up taking on June 9th with their selection right in front of the Braves. Atlanta would certainly be interested in Ray, but he’s one of probably 10 players they’ve got an eye on.
