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Essex
Resident Rivers Gets Drafted by LA Angels
- by Ben Boehl -
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Rivers (pictured here at Eastern Tech in
2007) led Tech to a state title and is now
in the Angel’s farm system.
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Just like many kids, Essex resident Ryan Rivers
started playing baseball at the young age of 5. He played baseball for
the Essex Rec. Council and the Harford Sox. Rivers graduated from
Eastern Tech and helped lead the Tech Baseball team to a state title in
2007. He was good enough to receive a scholarship to play baseball at
The University of North Carolina-Charlotte, where he majored in
mechanical engineering. For most players, baseball is over after high
school or college, but not for Rivers. Not only will he continue his
baseball career, but also he will get paid to play as Rivers was
drafted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
“It was a great feeling to get drafted. I worked hard my whole life and
to get that phone call was a special feeling,” Rivers said.
Being drafted wasn’t a total shock as Rivers said the Angels contacted
him a few days before the draft. Although Rivers thought he’d be
selected between rounds 12 - 20, the Angels drafted Rivers in the 35th
round.
The 21-year-old Rivers is scheduled to meet with a scout in the next
few days and believes he could head out to the west coast by the end of
this week.
“The scout who drafted me said he will meet with me when he gets back
to the east coast,” Rivers added. “I don’t know where I am going, but
there is talk that the team in Tempe (in the rookie league) needs a
first baseman. That would be great.”
Rivers was hoping to be drafted out of high school in 2007, but decided
to go to college after he wasn’t drafted. If a player goes to college
in baseball, he cannot be drafted until the end of his junior year or
after he turned 21.
Even though he’s been drafted, he doesn’t feel too much pressure on the
field. “The pressure is on for me to decide if I should finish school
or go on to play ball. It’s a tough choice, but I feel like I’m ready
to play at the next level,” Rivers explained.
Rivers finished up his junior year at UNC-Charlotte where he led the
team in home runs (13), RBI’s (63), doubles (16), slugging percent
(.630) and total bases (136).
After starting his career as a pitcher in his freshman year, Rivers
moved over to first base. Rivers was named to the Atlantic-10
All-Tournament Team in 2010 and was a Second-Team All-Atlantic 10
selection in 2009.
He graduated from Eastern Tech in 2007 and has fond memories of the
school and its baseball team.
“I had a great time at Eastern Tech. I remember every year we were in
contention for a state title,” Rivers said.
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