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Rays sign two draft picks on Monday, eye deal with No. 1

 
Matthew Liberatore is a 6-foot-6 high school pitcher who hopes to emulate major-leaguers such as Max Scherzer who intimidate hitters. [Zachary Lucy/Four Seam Images via AP Images]
Matthew Liberatore is a 6-foot-6 high school pitcher who hopes to emulate major-leaguers such as Max Scherzer who intimidate hitters. [Zachary Lucy/Four Seam Images via AP Images]
Published June 12, 2018|Updated June 12, 2018

In the midst of their 8-4 victory over the Blue Jays, the Rays signed two draft picks on Monday night, fifth-round pick RHP Taj Bradley and third-round INF Ford Proctor, and are set to finalize a deal with top pick Matthew Liberatore as soon as Tuesday. Here are details on the signings:

Taj Bradley

The youngest player in the class, 17-year-old Bradley, chose the MLB over the University of South Carolina. 
“It wasn’t difficult at all,” Bradley said. “I felt like this would have been better for me, focus all my time on baseball. It’s really just a big lifestyle change.”
Having only thrown about 25 innings as a junior at Redan High School, Bradley threw a 90-93 mph fastball that climbed as high as 95 along with a 12-to-6 curveball his senior year, ranking as MLB Pipeline’s No. 172 draft prospect.
Despite his young age and limited experience as a pitcher, his high school coach Alexander Wyche said he has potential in the Major League.
“Taj has a great frame, especially for a young kid,” Wyche said. “The upside is there. He was still new to the mound; this was the first year he honed in on pitching. The potential has always been there with the arm and the body. Over time, he’ll be upper-90s with two good offspeed pitches. He has a good feel for them.”
After watching the draft pick by pick at home and leaving for Port Charlotte, Bradley said the start of his new career came fast, but he’s prepared to take on the challenge.
“For a second I didn’t think it would come to reality,” Bradley said. “Seeing now it’s right before college, worrying about my next career I was going to take, but this came and it’s a big opportunity and I’ll see where it takes me.”

Ford Proctor

The 6-foot-1 shortstop led Rice’s Owls during the 2018 season with his 0.346 batting average, 8 home runs, and 122 total bases. Proctor also shared the lead with 45 RBIs.
“I’m just really thankful and grateful for the opportunity,” Proctor said. “As a kid you dream of signing a professional contract. It’s kind of surreal. The day you get the call lot of emotions go into it and my family was there so that was awesome and to be drafted by the Rays was awesome.”
Transitioning into the Major League, many scouts believe Proctor will become a second baseman while his assistant coach Paul Janish at Rice said he has the opportunity to move all around.
“I’m really excited that he got drafted by the Rays, who are an organization that is willing to think outside the box in terms of positioning,” Janish said. “Ford is going to get better playing every day, but the Rays might be as good a fit as anybody with regard to their willingness to move guys all over the field. That could benefit him, creating some versatility. His bat should get him to the big leagues wherever he plays.”
Proctor will also join the team with a familiar face, the No. 56 pick and infielder Tyler Frank from Florida Atlantic University.
“We played against each other all throughout college,” Proctor said. “Him and I are good friends, I’ve gotten to know him well over the years. I’m excited to work with him.”
After attending Rice for three years as the starting shortstop ever since his second game freshman year, Proctor said he is excited to work on his craft at the next level.
“I’m excited to become a professional, it’s been my dream to play baseball for a living, and I’m looking forward to it,” Proctor said. “It’s not work but it’s my job and I’m going to have a blast doing it and I can’t wait to put in the work towards my game.”