2008 Draft, Rd13, #410, Jack Rye

Born: 08/03/1986
Height: 6′1″ Weight: 200 lbs
Position: RF
Bats: L Throws: L
Transactions: Selected in 13th round (410th overall) of 2008 draft out of Florida St University.

Video
MLB Scouting Video
http://mlb.mlb.com/media/player/mp_tpl_3_1.jsp?w_id=702518&w=/2008/open/draft/broll/br_rye_john_400.wmv&mid=200805302799953&pid=gen_video&vid=11071&cid=mlb&v=2&bypass=true

Photo
http://yankees.scout.com/PictureGallery.aspx?PlayerId=117487&Title=Jack%20Rye

The Pinstripe Press
http://nyyankeesnews.blogspot.com/2008/06/of-jack-rye-florida-state-university.html
Having selected college OF Raymond Kruml two picks earlier, the New York Yankees went back to well in the 13th round of the 2008 MLB Draft. With the 410th selection, the Yankees took Florida State right fielder Jack Rye – the fourth Seminole selected in the draft.

After missing the first five games of his senior season with a broken right thumb, Jack Rye returned to hit .371 with seven homers, 15 doubles, and 52 RBI for the year. His production yielded First Team All-ACC honors for the second consecutive year. Rye, a team captain, hit cleanup behind masher Buster Posey (selected fifth overall by the Giants).

Rye has shown good plate discipline, drawing more walks than strikeouts in each of his four seasons at FSU. He hit better than .325 each year as well. While has some speed (12 stolen bases in 2008), it’s unlikely to be a major part of his game at the next level.

Jack Rye grew up in Irvine, California and played for the only high school team to ever beat Phil Hughes. During the final two seasons of his prep career, Rye struck out only 10 times in 188 plate appearances.

His power numbers will have to improve to be anything more than a reserve outfielder but the Yankees like his polished approach at the plate. He will start the season at short-season Staten Island.

NYCurve.com
http://www.nycurve.com/2008-draft-picks-john-rye-kyle-higashioka-william-mitchell
John Rye, is a 6’1, 200lbs. Senior out of Florida State University. Rye, who turned 22 in March can play any outfield position, but specializes in right field. Otherwise known as Jack, he played his high school baseball in Irvine, CA, at Woodbridge High School. He bats and throws left.
As a Junior, John was named the team captain at FSU, and started all 62 games for the Seminoles. He also hit 10 homeruns, and drove in 61 runs, which ranked second on his team in both categories. In his senior season (2008), John hit .371, which ranked fourth on his team, starting 61 of 62 games. He hit 7 homeruns, and drove in 52, ranking 6th in both categories for the ‘Noles.
John’s father was a collegiate baseball pitcher at UCLA.

Perfect Game (by David Rawnsley)
SCOUTING REPORT: Rye, who went to high school in California, has been a starter in right field for Florida State since the beginning of his freshman year. A lefthanded hitter, he hit .372-10-61 as a junior in 2007 and hit a career-high 12 home runs as a sophomore. He missed the early part of this season recovering from a broken right thumb and his power was affected, although it began to return more consistently in May. Through the middle of the month, he was hitting .420-6-41 in 46 games. Equally impressive was his 39-23 walk-to-strikeout ratio and .529 on-base percentage. Still, Rye’s smooth lefthanded swing and proven power track record paint him as a solid senior sign type of draft. He’s limited on defense and will likely play left field at the pro level.