SL1 Jackson Generals

Mariners sign first round pick Dustin Ackley

Published on August 17, 2009 under Southern League (SL1)
Jackson Generals News Release


SEATTLE, Wash. -- Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jack Zduriencik and Director of Amateur Scouting Tom McNamara announced tonight that the club has agreed to terms with 1B/OF Dustin Ackley, the club's first selection (2nd overall pick) in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.

The Mariners have signed Ackley to a five-year, Major League contract. Per club policy, financial terms were not disclosed.

"When we selected Dustin, we knew he was a special player and a special person," Zduriencik said. "We are excited for him to join or organization and can't wait to see him in a Mariners uniform."

Ackley (ACK-lee) became the first three-time All-American in North Carolina history. In 2009, Ackley earned first-team honors from Baseball America, Collegiate Baseball, the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association, American Baseball Coaches Association and Rivals.com. He was one of five finalists for the 2009 Golden Spikes Award, presented annually to the College Baseball Player of the Year, and was selected as the Rivals.com National Player of the Year.

Ackley, 21, played primarily first base during his collegiate career after having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in the summer of 2008. The athletic 6-foot-1, 185-pounder has also played the outfield at UNC. In three seasons in Carolina Blue, Ackley played in 207 consecutive games, and helped lead UNC to a 159-48 record (.768) and three trips to the College World Series.

During his junior season in 2009, Ackley hit .417 (111x266) with 18 doubles, 4 triples, 22 home runs and 73 RBI in 66 games. He was named the ACC Player of the Year and was a consensus first-team All-American.

Ackley needed just three years to ink his name all over the Carolina record book, setting marks for career batting average (.412), hits (346), runs (227) and total bases (544) in only 207 games. He also owns UNC single-season records in at-bats, runs, hits and total bases. Ackley finished his career batting .412 (346x840) with 59 doubles, 11 triples, 39 home runs and 198 RBI. He posted multiple hits in 107 of 207 career games (52%).

Ackley is the first player in the history of the College World Series to be named to the event's All-Tournament Team three times (2008, 2008, 2009) and set the CWS career record with 28 hits (in 15 games). He hit .500 (8x16) with 2 runs and 3 RBI in three games in Omaha this season, and ended his career with a 22-game NCAA Tournament hitting streak (.505/50x99). Overall, Ackley batted .410 (55x134) in 31 career post-season games.

The Mariners signed 34 of their 52 draft selections (see full list on page 2 of this release) from the 2009 June Draft, including 14 of their top 15 picks.

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Southern League Stories from August 17, 2009


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