Former Generals Catcher Abel Baker
Two former Victoria Generals and one current player heard their names called during day two of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft on Tuesday afternoon. Outfielder Bryson Myles and catcher Abel Baker, both former players for the Generals, along with current left-handed pitcher David Rollins, all saw their dreams of being drafted turn into reality.
Bryson Myles, who played for the Generals during their inaugural season in 2009, was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the 6th round with the 188th overall pick. Myles just completed his sophomore season at Stephen F. Austin State University where he was recently named the Southland Conference Player of the Year. Myles led the conference with a .413 batting average, 92 hits, and a .480 on-base percentage. Myles also led the nation in stolen bases with 50 this season.
Myles helped lead the Generals to the 2009 Texas Collegiate League Regular-Season Championship.
Abel Baker, the starting catcher for the Generals in 2010, was selected by the Los Angeles Angels with the 225th overall pick in the 7th round. Baker, who hit a homerun in the decisive game of the Generals 2010 TCL Championship, started his collegiate career at Baylor University before transferring to Grayson County College.
Baker hit .368 at Grayson this season and led the conference in RBIs with 63. Baker had 16 doubles, one triple, seven home runs, 20 walks, and 34 runs scored on the year.
Current Generals left handed pitcher, David Rollins, is no stranger to the MLB draft. Rollins heard his name called today in the draft for the fourth time in his short career. On Tuesday afternoon, Rollins was taken in the 24th round with the 739th overall pick by the Toronto Blue Jays. Rollins was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 19th round out of high school in 2008. He was then selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 23rd round in 2009 and again by the Mariners in 2010 in the 46th round.
Rollins just completed his sophomore season at San Jacinto College where he posted a 7-3 record to go along with an ERA of 2.99. Rollins struck out 91 batters on the season in 81.1 innings of work.
Rollins and the Generals are currently in the middle of a four-game road trip. The team will return home on Friday, June 10 to take on the Brazos Valley Bombers at 7:05pm at Riverside Stadium. It will be the third annual Diamonds on the Diamond event presented by Torin Bales Fine Jewelry that night. All women 18 years of age and older are encouraged to get to the park early to register for a chance to win diamonds from Torin Bales Fine Jewelry along with other great prizes.
