Ray Receives Affiliated Opportunity
October 20, 2015 - American Association (AA)
Wichita Wingnuts News Release
WICHITA, KS (October 20, 2015) - During the course of the 2015 regular season, the Wichita Wingnuts saw a league-high five players have their contracts purchased from the roster. The last pitch of the season was thrown over a month ago, but the momentum has continued. It was announced on Tuesday afternoon that outfielder Jayce Ray was purchased by the Boston Red Sox.
The native of Sonoma, California put together an impressive campaign in his third season of professional baseball. He paced the team in batting average for most of the season and finished fifth in the American Association with 56 walks. Playing in a total of 89 games, Ray posted a .310 batting average, scored 57 runs, and drove in 35. The left-handed hitter reached base at a .422 clip and, once he was there, stole 17 bases.
The product of Sonoma Valley High School played for the expansion Sonoma Stompers (Pacific Association) in 2014 after beginning his professional career with the Frontier League's Windy City ThunderBolts two seasons ago. Ray quickly established himself as one of the top all-around players in the four team circuit and was named the Pacific Association MVP following the season. He was also the batting champion with a .355 average, posted the highest on-base percentage, and was hit by a league-most 16 pitches. In addition, he finished second in doubles (18) and stolen bases (21), third in runs scored (62), and fourth in walks (46). Those numbers were enough to lead Sonoma in every one of the aforementioned categories aside from doubles.
Ray hit .459 during his senior year of high school and led his team to a 24-4 record, before attending Santa Rosa Junior College in Northern California for three years. The 25-year old redshirted in 2009 before beginning his college career in 2010 by batting .301 and totaling 11 stolen bases in 33 games. In his final year with the Bear Cubs, he batted .350, scored 40 runs, and collected 49 hits in 36 games. Those numbers earned him recognition as a first-team All-American as well as first team All-Northern California and All-Big 8.
Fresh off of those awards, Ray transferred to the University of Washington, earning honorable mention All-Pac 12 honors in 2012 after leading the Huskies in hits, at bats, triples, and stolen bases. In his final season of eligibility, he hit .309 and started all 56 games, earning a second honorable mention nod in the Pac-12. Ray led UW in at bats (220), hits (68), runs (35), triples (four), and RBI (36).
Ray is the 34th Wingnut to be signed by a Major League organization and the eighth this calendar year. Below is the complete list of players who have had their contracts purchased after playing in Wichita.
Wingnuts Sold to Major League Organizations
OF Dustan Mohr, 2008 - Colorado Rockies
OF Blake Gailen, 2008 - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
RHP Will Savage, 2010 - Los Angeles Dodgers
RHP Ben Graham, 2010 - Washington Nationals
LHP Justin Dowdy, 2010 - Tampa Bay Rays
OF Ryan Patterson, 2011 - Arizona Diamondbacks
LHP Dustin Pease, 2011 - San Diego Padres
RHP Cephas Howard, 2011 - Texas Rangers
OF Kenny Gilbert, 2011 - Chicago White Sox
OF Brent Clevlen, 2011 - Cincinnati Reds
OF Brent Clevlen, 2011 - Philadelphia Phillies
SS Jose Martinez, 2012 - Houston Astros
LHP Nate Robertson, 2012 - Toronto Blue Jays
RHP Matt Nevarez, 2012 - Tampa Bay Rays
RHP Andrew Aizenstadt, 2012 - Philadelphia Phillies
RHP James Hoyt, 2012 - Atlanta Braves
OF David Peralta, 2012 - Arizona Diamondbacks
OF Adam Buschini, 2013 - San Diego Padres
RHP Jon Link, 2013 - Detroit Tigers
LHP Ryan Hinson, 2013 - Atlanta Braves
1B C.J. Ziegler, 2013 - Minnesota Twins
C J.T. Wise, 2014 - Texas Rangers
RHP Matt Nevarez, 2014 - Pittsburgh Pirates
RHP Jon Link, 2014 - Miami Marlins
RHP Chris Peacock, 2014 - Pittsburgh Pirates
OF Carlo Testa, 2014 - Arizona Diamondbacks
OF Jake Luce, 2015 - Baltimore Orioles
LHP Jhonathan Ramos, 2015 - Baltimore Orioles
LHP Jarret Leverett, 2015 - San Francisco Giants
SS Alberto Gonzalez, 2015 - Detroit Tigers
RHP Dakota Watts, 2015 - Texas Rangers
RHP Omar Bencomo, 2015 - Minnesota Twins
SS Luis Hernandez, 2015 - Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
OF Jayce Ray, 2015 - Boston Red Sox
For information on season tickets, group outings, and party packages, call the Wingnuts' main office at (316) 264-NUTS, or visit the Wingnuts' official website at www.wichitawingnuts.com.
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