Where Are They Now: Neil Sellers

TROY, N.Y.--In the June 2004 Major League Baseball Draft, the Houston Astros selected third baseman Neil Sellers in the 32nd round. Sellers had attended Eastern Kentucky University and posted three outstanding seasons as a Colonel. Sellers spent four seasons in the Astros minor league system before joining the Reading Phillies in 2008.

Sellers' three years at Eastern Kentucky can be summarized in one word - phenomenal. In 2002, Sellers hit .346 in 55 games with six home runs and 42 RBI. His second year saw a tremendous influx of power in which the right-hander hit 17 home runs and drove in 85 runs in just 53 games. Sellers was not simply a slugger, however. Sellers finished second on the team with a .407 batting average, trailing just former ValleyCat and Atlanta Braves outfielder Josh Anderson.

Following the 2004 Draft, Sellers reported to Rookie League Greeneville to start his professional career. Sellers hit .285 with 30 RBI in 50 games to earn a promotion to Short Season Tri-City in 2005.

Sellers' 2005 season with the ValleyCats still ranks as one of the greatest offensive seasons in ValleyCats history. Sellers holds the record for highest single season batting average at .344 and ranks fourth with 11 home runs.

The 6'0 third baseman spent the 2006 and 2007 seasons with Class A Advanced Salem and Double A Corpus Christi. After dipping to two home runs in 2006 with Salem, Sellers responded with seven round-trippers in 2007 with the Hooks.

In December, 2007, the Philadelphia Phillies selected Sellers in the Rule V Draft. Sellers reported to Double A Reading in 2008 and responded well with the change of scenery. In 134 games, Sellers hit 19 home runs with 78 RBI.

Sellers looks to make the jump to the Major Leagues in his sixth professional season. Sellers will have to do so with the World Champion Philadelphia Phillies, however. Sellers has changed organizations and hasn't stepped foot on the field of Joseph L. Bruno Stadium in four years, but his ValleyCats days still rank him as one of the most successful hitters in organization history.