Stryker Trahan signs with Diamondbacks
Jun 9, 2012, 8:53 PM | Updated: Jun 11, 2012, 9:13 pm
Drafted 26th overall in the first round of the 2012
First Year Player Draft by the
Arizona Diamondbacks, catcher Stryker Trahan officially
signed with
the team on Saturday.
Hours later he was spotted at Chase Field, taking batting
practice with the
big league club. Trahan hit back-to-back home runs during
BP, and even landed one
in the pool, which brought cheers from teammates.
“That was pretty funny hearing all of those guys cheering
for me,” Trahan
said. “But I wanted to do better.”
The 6’1″, 220-pound Stryker provided the perfect
combination of talent and
need for the D-backs, something the team believes is key
to a successful
pick.
As a senior at Acadiana High School in Louisiana, Trahan
batted .460 with 5 home runs and 31 runs batted in.
His strong bat provided enough of an upside for the left-
handed hitting
catcher, who has heard criticism about his defense. The
Diamondbacks,
however, have remained adamant that they plan on keeping
Stryker behind
the plate.
“Right now, I love being a catcher, but if it’s better for
me to be in the
outfield then I’ll be in the outfield,” Trahan said.
Stryker had already committed to Mississippi, and there
was some concern
that he may decide to play in college, but the
Diamondbacks were
confident
that he was a signable pick.
Just two weeks ago Trahan was traveling across the
country, doing workout
sessions for teams and preparing for the draft.
“This is what I’ve always dreamed of, and this is a dream
come true being in
this stadium right now,” Trahan said.
Trahan said he will be in the Valley until September,
working out at Salt River
Fields.
Kyndra de St. Aubin contributed to this report.
