Eastern Michigan Athletics
Rhoad Drafted By Texas Rangers
6/11/2009 2:22:17 PM | Baseball
Kyle Rhoad was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 33rd round of the MLB Draft.
YPSILANTI, Mich. – Eastern Michigan University senior outfielder Kyle Rhoad (Fostoria, Ohio-Elmwood) was drafted in the 33rd round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Texas Rangers Thursday morning, June 11. Along with junior Jim Gulliver (Allen Park, Mich.-Allen Park), who was picked yesterday by the Tigers, Rhoad is the second EMU player drafted this year and is the 65th EMU player to be drafted since 1969.
"Kyle is a great player to take a chance on with his power, speed, a good arm, but more importantly good baseball instincts," said EMU head baseball coach, Jay Alexander. "Kyle has all the tools they look for in an outfielder at the next level and he is an extremely hard worker and will be a very good professional. I don't know anyone who is more deserving of a chance to show what he can do at the next level."
A third-team Academic All-American this season, Rhoad started all 60 games and led the Eagles with a .349 batting average to go along with 12 homers, 34 RBI, and a team and Mid-American Conference best 32 stolen bases. He recorded 25 multiple hit games and had the Eagles' longest hitting streak of the season in 2009 (16 games). His 32 stolen bases are an EMU single season record and his 66 career stolen bases rank third all-time. Rhoad ranks fourth all-time in runs scored (158), ninth in hits (206), 10th in at-bats (648) and 11th in home runs (24). His 69 runs scored this past season are the third most in a single season in EMU baseball history.
Rhoad was named to the MAC All-Tournament team this season after hitting a tournament best four homers to go along with six runs scored and seven RBI to lead the Eagles to a pair of wins in Chillicothe. Rhoad led the No. 7 Eagles to a 13-4 win over No. 3 Ohio University, May 22, after belting a career-best three homers. He was also named one of 30 candidates for the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award this season, an award that recognizes excellence in four areas: classroom, character, community, and competition. Rhoad finished his bachelor's degree in business in three years at EMU and recently just completed his Master of Business Administration with a focus in supply chain management.
