Born: 05/08/1985Height: 6′0″ Weight: 185 lbs
Position: CF
Bats: L Throws: R
Transactions: Selected in 11th round (350th overall) of 2008 draft out of University of South Alabama.
Video
Photo
http://yankees.scout.com/PictureGallery.aspx?PlayerId=117818&Title=Ray%20Kruml
The Pinstripe Press
http://nyyankeesnews.blogspot.com/2008/06/cf-raymond-kruml-university-of-south.html
With their 11th round pick in the 2008 MLB Draft (350th overall), the Yankees selected speedy South Alabama centerfielder Ray Kruml.
According to Jaguars Coach Steve Kittrell, Kruml’s best tool is his speed. A sernior, he led the Sun Belt Conference with 31 stolen bases and played an above-average centerfield where his legs, coupled with a strong arm, makes him a plus-defender.
“He has outstanding speed,” Kittrell said by email. “He can steal bases and he reads pitchers well.”
Kruml posted a .350 batting average this season, reaching base at a .421 clip. He’s shown the ability to hit when down in the count but will need to refine his two-strike approach to succeed at the next level. Batting leadoff, Kruml considerably improved his power numbers, raking eight home runs, 21 doubles, and 46 RBIs.
South Alabama has a history of developing solid outfielders (Luis Gonzalez, Juan Pierre, and Adam Lind). Kruml will start off in the New York-Penn League with Staten Island.
NYCurve.com
http://www.nycurve.com/mlb-draftees-luke-anders-michael-jones-raymond-kruml
Raymond Kruml, a speedy centerfielder out of the University of South Alabama, was chosen by the Yankees in the 11th round of the 2008 MLB Draft. Ray stands at 6’0 and weighs just 185lbs. He bats left and throws right. Kruml grew up in a Chicago suburb of Wheaton, IL.
Kruml hit .350 for the Jaguars of USA in 2008, and had an on base percentage of .421. He also added 8 homeruns, 21 doubles, and knocked in 46 runs. He has great speed, and looks to be a good lead-off hitter in the future.
His coach at USA had this to say about Richard: “He has outstanding speed, he can steal bases and he reads pitchers well.” Sounds like a good catch for the Yankees in the 11th round!
Perfect Game (by Allan Simpson)
SCOUTING REPORT: A 2006 junior college All-American who hit .461 with 35 stolen bases at Indian Hills (Iowa) JC, Kruml struggled adapting to Division I pitching last year and hit only .276-3-15 with 18 stolen bases. He developed a much better comfort level at the plate this season, hitting a team-best .350 while stealing 36 bases. He did a much better job of bunting and incorporating small ball into his offensive approach to take advantage of his speed (6.5 seconds in the 60). With a more compact swing, he cut down on his high number of strikeouts, though still fanned 32 times in 226 at-bats. Kruml has the physical look of ex-big league center fielder Steve Finley and excels defensively. He should be a quality senior sign.
