June 20, 2018 – Santa Fe Saints Head Baseball Coach Johnny Wiggs has been invited to throw out the first pitch at the Tampa Bay Rays game Friday, June 22, when they host the New York Yankees for a 7:10 p.m. start.
Rays starting centerfielder Mallex Smith played for Coach Wiggs at Santa Fe College in 2012 before being a fifth-round draft pick in 2012. Rays lefthander Ryan Yarbrough also played for Wiggs at SF in 2011 and 2012 before transferring to Old Dominion University. Yarborough was drafted in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB draft.
“It is very exciting to see Mallex and Ryan succeed at the major league level for the Rays,” said Wiggs. “Both of them have reached that level because of their tremendous work ethic and never quit attitude that they displayed even here at SF. I am very proud of them both and look forward to representing all of Santa Fe College and our athletic program as I throw out the first pitch Friday.”
Both Smith and Yarborough have made significant contributions to the Ray’s success this year. Smith is currently batting .284 with a team leading 12 stolen bases while playing in 66 of the team’s 71 games and Yarborough is 5-3 with 63 strikeouts in 68.1 innings.