The Tampa Bay Rays have selected outfielder Garrett Whitley from Niskayuna (N.Y.) High School with the No. 13 overall pick in the first round of the 2015 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

The 18-year-old is one of six high school outfielders taken by the Rays with their first overall selection (Josh Sale, 2010; Delmon Young, 2003; Rocco Baldelli, 2000; Josh Hamilton, 1999; and Paul Wilder, 1996). During his senior season, hit .351 with a .479 on-base percentage to go along with three home runs, 13 runs batted in and 24 runs scored. Whitley also went 15-for-15 in stolen base attempts in 20 games played.

Whitley, the first major league draft pick from Niskayuna High School, is the highest high school draft selection from New York state since the Cleveland Indians selected Manny Ramirez in 1991, also with the No. 13 selection.

Whitley, ranked No. 7 overall in the draft and the No. 2 outfielder in the draft by Baseball America, was named the Gatorade New York Baseball Player of the Year.

Entering his senior season, he was named to both the USA TODAY American Family Insurance All-USA Preseason Baseball Team and the Perfect Game First Team Preseason All-American Team. He was named to the All Area Code Team at the most recent Area Code Baseball Games held in Long Beach, Calif.

Whitley, who maintained a 3.84 grade point average in the classroom, signed a national letter of intent to play at Wake Forest University next season—the same school Baldelli committed to before signing with the Rays.

GARRETT WHITLEY, OF
Bats/Throws: R/R | Height/Weight: 6-2/195 | Born: 3/13/97 in Melrose, MA | Hometown: Niskayuna, NY

Rays First Selections, All-Time
1996 OF Paul Wilder No. 29 overall
1997 RHP Jason Standridge No. 31 overall
1998 1B Josh Pressley No. 132 overall (4th round)
1999 OF Josh Hamilton No. 1 overall
2000 OF Rocco Baldelli No. 6 overall
2001 RHP Dewon Brazelton No. 3 overall
2002 SS B.J. Upton No. 2 overall
2003 OF Delmon Young No. 1 overall
2004 RHP Jeff Niemann No. 4 overall
2005 RHP Wade Townsend No. 8 overall
2006 3B Evan Longoria No. 3 overall
2007 LHP David Price No. 1 overall
2008 SS Tim Beckham No. 1 overall
2009 CF LeVon Washington No. 30 overall
2010 OF Josh Sale No. 17 overall
2011 RHP Taylor Guerrieri No. 24 overall
2012 3B Richie Shaffer No. 25 overall
2013 C Nick Ciuffo No. 21 overall
2014 1B Casey Gillaspie No. 20 overall
2015 OF Garrett Whitley No. 13 overall

Notable selections with the 13th pick in draft history (since 1965)
Chris Sale, LHP, White Sox, 2010
Aaron Hill, SS, Blue Jays, 2003
Casey Kotchman, 1B, Angels, 2001
Paul Konerko, C, Dodgers, 1994
Manny Ramirez, 3B, Indians, 1991
Brent Mayne, C, Royals, 1989
Bill Spiers, SS, Brewers, 1987
Gary Templeton, SS, Cardinals, 1974
Frank Tanana, LHP, Angels, 1971


Information written and provided by Tampa Bay Rays