ROME, GA — 2016 has been good for Texas Tech baseball. Three Red Raiders were drafted in this year’s draft class.
Junior right-hander Ryan Moseley was selected in the eighth round by the Baltimore Orioles, right fielder Stephen Smith was taken in the 299th pick in the 10th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks and our very own Tyler Neslony was taken in the ninth round by the Atlanta Braves.
Tyler had quite the career at Texas Tech. He holds the school record for career triples in the NCAA tournament and over his college career he was a .313 hitter with 55 doubles and 134 RBI with the Red Raiders.
In his sophomore year, he led the Big 12 in batting (.375), slugging percentage (.600) and was the first Red Raider in school history to lead the Big 12 in batting. You can see why Braves scouts were interested in him.
The native Texan began his professional baseball career at the beginning of this month in Danville, Atlanta’s Advanced-Rookie League team and tore it up. In just five games he slashed .500/.571/.875 which prompted his immediate removal and relocation to Rome.
Neslony joined his former Texas Tech teammate Matt Custred here in Rome on July 9, and after being here for almost two weeks, we see why his stay in Danville was extremely swift.
Since joining the Rome Braves, Tyler has slashed .306/.324/.444 with 11 hits, 3 doubles and 4 RBI. The guy can hit. On Wednesday night against the Lexington Legends, Neslony went 2-for-4 with a triple.
If Tyler’s hitting ability in Danville continues to translate to the South Atlantic League like it has the past two weeks, keep your eye on this promising 22-year-old outfielder. Tyler seems to be yet another young Atlanta Braves prospect who can hit and get on base, which can translate into wins.
