Melvin Ray May Choose MLB Draft over Crimson Tide Football

Will 2008’s top-rated recruiting class be taking a hit this summer? It’s quite possible as Crimson Tide signee Melvin Ray weighs his options going into the Major League Baseball draft next month.

Ray became a fan favorite during last year’s recruiting season, and was one of the players that helped Nick Saban land the top-rated class in the country for Alabama. While playing his high school football at North Florida Christian in Tallahassee, Ray emerged as one of the most sought-after wide receiver prospects in the South, largely due to his frame (6-3, 205) and physical play. As a senior Ray, hauled in 53 passes for 16 touchdowns while leading his team to the 1A title game and garnering first-team All-State honors.

Sounds good right?

Well, here’s the thing:

Not only was Melvin Ray excelling on the gridiron at NFC, he was making his mark on the diamond as well. While most 'Bama fans knew that Ray was a highly-touted football prospect, it’s arguable that few of them realized that the young man was a legitimate Major League Baseball prospect as well.

With the MLB draft coming up in June, reports are surfacing that indicate that Ray has drawn intense interest from the Houston Astros, New York Mets, and Cincinatti Reds, among others, due to his combination of raw speed and power as an outfielder. Of the 30 teams in the MLB it appears that Ray has filled out pre-draft informational questionaires for aproximately 25 of teams.

Though he isn’t guaranteed to be drafted in the first round, speculation is that Ray will likely go within the first five to seven rounds. Such an opportunity would certainly have to cause a young man to sit down and re-think his options.

By Ray’s own account, the interest in him by a number of MLB franchises might mean a big chance in plans. Will 'Bama fans see one of their favorites don a crimson jersey in 2009? By watching the MLB draft on June 5 and 6 you will likely find the answer to that.