Ryan discusses draft
Joe Ryan, Northern California's Division III Player of the Year, discussed his recent MLB draft experience with NorCalPreps.com.
Ryan sported a 12-1 record and 0.76 ERA for Drake High School this past season. He threw a total of 92 innings and struck out 132 hitters. The right-handed pitcher earned the Marin County Athletic League Pitcher of the Year honors but didn't draw professional intrigue until late in the process.
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"[The] draft process started really late for me," said Ryan. "The [San Francisco] Giants saw me for the first time two weeks before the draft and then the process was sped up and I went to two work outs and threw two bullpens."
San Francisco was impressed enough to select Ryan in the 39th round and 1168th overall pick of the draft.
"I just got back from target shooting and was on the computer," he added. "It was the 34th round and I was watching people get picked and then the 39th came around and I got a call from the area scout who congratulated me on the honor and said he would be in touch."
"Initially I was excited and I glad to see my name. I still knew that I would probably go to college but still an awesome honor."
While Ryan is still undecided if he will sign, he is leaning towards the collegiate route. Ryan is committed to play for second-year head coach Greg Moore at Cal State Northridge next season.
"I am pretty set on college it was more of an honor to get drafted than anything else," said Ryan. "I have a great opportunity to pitch at CSUN and play for coach Moore. I am excited to go succeed at the D1 level."
Ryan is the 15th ranked prospect in the NCP 2014 Baseball Top 50 rankings and should be an excellent addition to the Cal State Northridge program if he decides to go that route.