Sophomore Pitcher Excelled For US Team Last Summer
Sonny Gray (Vanderbilt photo)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Sophomore right-hander Sonny Gray has been invited to the USA National Collegiate team trials for the second straight year.
Last season Gray starred for the National Team, going 3-1 with a 0.75 ERA with 27 strikeouts and just eight walks in 24.0 innings. He made eight appearances with two starts and limited batters to just a .139 batting average. After the season Baseball America rated him as the No. 3 pro prospect on the talent rich USA squad.
The team finished 19-5 and captured the inaugural World Baseball Challenge by beating Germany, 8-1, in the championship game in Prince George, British Columbia, Canada.
“Sonny is very deserving of another opportunity with Team USA,” said Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin. “He enjoyed success with the team last year and I anticipate him having more this year. He will give them more than just a right handed arm – he is competitive and he makes everyone around him better.”
This year’s team will be managed by Utah head coach Bill Kinneberg with Cal State Fullerton’s Dave Serrano (pitching), San Francisco’s Nino Giarrantano and St. John’s Ed Blankmeyer serving as assistant coaches.
“Sonny had a great summer on the 2009 USA Baseball Collegiate National Team and added to the list of great Vanderbilt players who have worn their nation’s uniform,” said National Collegiate Team general manager Eric Campbell. “Christian Colon (Cal State Fullerton) led the team from the shortstop position in 2009, and I think the team leadership could potentially come from the pitching staff in 2010 with Sonny Gray filling a key if not definitive leadership role on the team.”
Vanderbilt has been well represented on the team recently with David Price (2005-06), Pedro Alvarez (2006-07) and Mike Minor (2007-08) each playing two summers for the USA. Casey Weathers (2006) and Ryan Flaherty (2007) each played a summer, while Mark Prior (1999-00) played after his freshman year at Vanderbilt and then transferred to USC where he played after his sophomore campaign.
The 2010 schedule is highlighted by the V FISU World University Championships, which will take place in Japan, as well as a friendship series domestically against Korea, to be held at the USA Baseball National Training Complex in Cary, N.C. and at the Durham Bulls Athletic Park in Durham, N.C.
Others Who Have Received USA Baseball Trials Invitations
Matt Jensen-Cal Poly
Danny Hultzen-Virginia
Kyle Winkler-TCU
Nick Ramirez-Cal State Fullerton
Tyler Pill-Cal State Fullerton
Mikie Mahtook-LSU
Austin Nola-LSU
Matty Ott-LSU
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