Louisville's Wright Signs with Reds
July 19, 2011 | Baseball
July 19, 2011
LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Former University of Louisville infielder Ryan Wright, a fifth round selection by Cincinnati in the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft, has agreed to terms and signed a professional contract with the Reds.
A native of Fort Wayne, Ind., Wright officially signed with Cincinnati on July 15 after he was selected 175th overall by the Reds on day two of the MLB Draft on June 7. Wright is expected to report to the Billings Mustangs, Cincinnati's Rookie affiliate in the Pioneer League, where he will begin his professional career in the coming days.
Wright was a First Team All-BIG EAST selection at second base in 2011 while leading the Cardinals in hitting (.346), home runs (12), RBI (52), runs scored (49) and doubles (15) and was tied for the team lead in stolen bases with 16 in 18 attempts. As a sophomore, he was named Second Team All-America by Baseball America after hitting .366 with 16 home runs and 80 RBI.
During his career as a Cardinal, he was also a three-time All-BIG EAST Tournament selection, earned Freshman All-America accolades (Louisville Slugger and NCBWA) in 2009, was a member of the 2009 All-NCAA Regional Team and was the leading everyday hitter for the 2010 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team. He ranks fourth at U of L in career hits (260), is tied for fourth in career RBI (198), is sixth in career batting (.349), ninth in career stolen bases (48) and is tied for ninth in career doubles (48).
