Reid Willett, Jared Trout Selected In Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft

June 4, 2003

KINGSTON, R.I. - University of Rhode Island pitchers Reid Willett (Nashua, N.H.) and Jared Trout (Gilbertsville, Pa.) were selected in the 2003 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft held Tuesday and Wednesday.

Willett, a 6-5, 200-pound right-handed pitcher who just completed his junior year at Rhode Island, was chosen by the Chicago Cubs as the sixth pick in the 21st round. Willett finished the season with a 6-6 record, striking out 64 batters in 67 innings pitched. He pitched one complete game shutout and had three complete game victories on the year.

Trout, a 6-0, 175-pound right-handed pitcher who also just wrapped up his junior year for the Rams, was taken by the Oakland Athletics as the 25th pick in the 28th round. Trout finished the season 6-3 with a 3.97 earned run average and 93 strikeouts in 79 1/3 innings pitched. At one point late in the season, Trout was in the top 10 nationally in strikeouts per nine innings. Opponents hit just .249 against him.

Both players have a year of eligibility remaining at Rhode Island and if they do not sign, they may return to finish their careers with the Rams.

For more information on the Major League Baseball Draft, go to www.mlb.com.

The Rams had their best Atlantic 10 Conference finish since 1984 this spring, going 16-8 to tie for first in the conference's East Division. Rhode Island finished the season 26-26 overall, the second highest win total in school history.