Ryan Scott put himself on the radar of major league teams because of how he controlled himself at the plate all season.
The UALR senior hit .435, which leads all NCAA Division I players, and set school records in hits, RBI and total bases while being named the Sun Belt Conference player of the year and a first-team All-American by Collegiate Baseball.
But Scott was without any control the past two days, while he and close family members followed the Major League Baseball first-year player draft. Scott's wait ended Friday afternoon when the Boston Red Sox picked him in the seventh round, the 208th pick overall.
He was the fourth Trojan to be drafted in as many years, but the second-highest ever and highest since Rick Guarno went in the fourth round to the Colorado Rockies in 2003.
Scott, who followed the draft Friday online with his fiance and parents, was picked about where he was expecting -- UALR Coach Chris Curry had said he was expecting between the fifth and 10th rounds. But that didn't mean there weren't anxious moments getting there.
"Being an athlete, you like to have some control," Scott said. "You're really just on the hook waiting to see what happens, and it's a real foreign process. There's nothing really like it."
Scott's wait ended at the end of Friday's sixth round, when Lane Decker, an area scout with the Boston Red Sox, called to let him know the club was likely going to pick him in the seventh round.
Scott isn't entirely sure of his immediate plans. He said he'll likely head to Boston's spring training facility in Fort Meyers, Fla., to sign a contract. Then he'll either stay there or head to Boston's short-season Class A affiliate in Lowell, Mass. His slotted signing bonus is $210,700.
He said he isn't surprised he ended up with the Red Sox. Decker, who was a scout for the San Diego Padres last year, had shown interest. Scott and Curry both thought he would be picked in last year's draft, but was passed over and he returned to UALR.
"They were close to taking me last year and then he changed to Boston, so I stayed in touch with him," Scott said.
Now Scott gets to begin his professional career coming off one of the best seasons for a UALR player. He hit .435 this season, and set school records for hits (94), RBI (66) and total bases (154), while setting the school's career record with 44 doubles.
He acknowledged his big senior season helped his draft prospects.
"It definitely worked out," he said. "I think I've definitely grown mentally. As far as mechanics, it's pretty similar. But definitely mentally and your confidence builds as you have more success."
Sports on 06/11/2016