2014 Draft Pick Mark Payton Added to RiverDogs
CHARLESTON, SC - The New York Yankees have announced that outfielder Mark Payton has been assigned to the Charleston RiverDogs. Payton, who will make his professional debut tonight for Charleston, was drafted in the seventh round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Texas.
The Yankees also announced that outfielder Brandon Thomas was placed on the disabled list. Charleston will remain at its maximum of 25 active players heading into Saturday's game at 6:05pm against the Rome Braves at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.
In four seasons as a starting outfielder with the Longhorns, Payton played in two College World Series and earned All-Big 12 honors as a junior and as a senior. He also accumulated the longest on-base streak in Big 12 history by reaching in 101 straight games. Payton's head coach was Augie Garrido, the winningest head coach in college baseball history with 1,920 total wins.
Payton was the 212nd overall pick in the Draft and becomes the second Yankees 2014 draft selection to join the RiverDogs. The first was left-handed pitcher Jacob Lindgren, New York's top selection and the 55th overall pick this year.
The RiverDogs host the Rome Braves tonight at 6:05pm to continue a six-game homestand. The first 1,000 fans through the gates today will receive a Harold Ramis bobblehead. It is also ABC News 4 Night from WCIV Channel 4, Watermelon Day, and Social Media Saturday. Tickets may be purchased at the Riley Park Box Office, (843) 577-DOGS (3647) or on-line at www.riverdogs.com. If fans cannot make it to the ballpark, they are encouraged to tune in to all the action this year both home and away worldwide on www.riverdogs.com and locally on 1250 WTMA, the new radio home for RiverDogs baseball.
--RIVERDOGS--