THOMASVILLE — Ryan Stovall recently completed a dream senior season at Thomas University.
His biggest dream may soon come true, however.
The former Night Hawks shortstop might hear his name called when the Major League Baseball conducts its draft on June 9-11.
“I think he’s definitely ready to move to the next level,” TU coach Mike Lee said. “That’s what he’s been working for, and I think it’s going to work out for him.”
Stovall has had several workouts with major league squads and was one of four players invited for a second tryout with a team on Wednesday in Winter Haven, Fla.
“It’s been very exciting,” Stovall said. “It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time.”
To help improve Stovall’s draft status, the TU coaches have had him working out as a catcher. It was quite the transition for the everyday shortstop.
“It’s been tough, but there’s a lot of things that you have to do as a catcher that you do as a shortstop,” said Stovall, “like having quick hands, transferring down to second.”
Lee added, “Coach (Bobby) Rodriguez and I had talked about it, but it wasn’t something we could do because we needed him at shortstop and we had a couple of catchers,” Lee said. “When (Stovall) had a workout before we left for the playoffs, coach Rodriguez took the catcher’s mitt out there and said, ‘By the way, today, you’re a catcher.’
“He threw extremely well for somebody that had never done it and really threw well for somebody that had been doing it for a while. Over the past couple of weeks he’s worked on it and gotten a whole lot better at his footwork and being able to handle the pitches coming to him. I think that’s his best shot. It’s the quickest way to get there. Everybody always needs catcher.”
“He’s a good enough athlete. He can play anywhere.”
While Stovall continues to learn to play behind the plate, his play in the batter’s box appears “major league” ready. In his only year with the Night Hawks, Stovall set single-season school records in batting average (.487), home runs (20), total bases (161) and stolen bases (14). He also tied the school record with 52 RBIs. Stovall’s phenomenal season was recently rewarded by the NAIA as he was named second-team All-American.
“(The major league teams) like him swinging the bat. He’s being working out with the (Thomasville) Bombers swinging the wood bat ,” Lee said. “They like him behind the plate, He runs well for a catcher. He’s got the power you’re looking for, and the defense will be there. It’s just going to take a little while.”
If Stovall is drafted, he would be the first TU player selected. He’s just focusing on getting better every day.
“I have a couple of more workouts planned,” Stovall said. “I’m just going to try to train as hard as I can and get as much work in as I can for the draft so I can be ready to go if they call my name.”
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Related Photos
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Thomas University’s Ryan Stovall was recently named a second-team All-American by the NAIA after a banner senior season. He batted .487 with 20 home runs and 52 RBIs as a leadoff man. File photo
TU’s Stovall a prospect in upcoming draft
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