Nationals Agree to Terms with 12th Rounder, LHP Robbie Ray

By Lindsay Rykiel

Nationals

August 16, 2010, 2:52pm

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The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms on a professional contract with left-handed pitcher Robbie Ray, the Nationals' 12th-round selection in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft. Nationals Senior Vice President and General Manager Mike Rizzo, Nationals Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Player Personnel Roy Clark and Nationals Director of Scouting Kris Kline made the joint announcement. Ray went 7-1 and posted a 7.3/1 strikeout-to-walk ratio en route to a 0.50 ERA as a senior at Brentwood (TN) High School. As part of Baseball America's 2010 Draft Preview, Ray was rated as the No. 6 prospect in Tennessee, second among high school players. Ray had previously committed to attend the University of Arkansas. The 18 year-old Ray also sports international experience gained as a member of Team USA's Under-18 squad, which last summer won the COPABE Pan Am AAA Championship, which was played in Venezuela. Ray pitched in two games for Team USA, allowing one run and fanning four in 2.0 innings. The Nationals have signed or agreed to terms with 30 players from their 2010 First-Year Player Draft, including 22 of their top 26 selections.