FILE PHOTO
Swampscott’s Ryan January was drafted by the Diamondbacks in the eighth round.
By STEVE KRAUSE
There’s nothing like a little adversity to provide the proper motivation. And there’s nothing better than proving the people responsible for that adversity wrong.
Last year, Swampscott’s Ryan January was primed to be drafted. But he wasn’t. The Major League Baseball draft came and went, and January’s name was not called.
This year, though, it was. January was drafted in the eighth round Friday by the Arizona Diamondbacks and he’s already agreed in principle to terms with the National League club. He’s now in Hillsboro, Ore., at the club’s short-season single-A team, which opens its season Friday.
“It’s a relief,” said January, a catcher, who played for Swampscott High for a couple of seasons and who, this past spring, went to San Jacinto Junior College in Pasadena, Texas, after his disappointment of last year. “It’s something I’ve been working toward.”
His father, Derek, said January had a lot to prove.
“He used last year as motivation, to prove a lot of people wrong, especially the scouting community in this area.”
January expects to be a catcher in the Major Leagues and says the Diamondbacks have that expectation too.
“I’m excited about catching,” he said “I’m very passionate about it. I’m happy to have the opportunity to stay behind the plate and work on what I love.”
He feels he has two things going for him.
“Not a lot of guys want to catch,” he said. “It’s pretty hard. Also, I can hit, which is good too.”
In fact, his father said, his bat impresses the Diamondbacks very much.
“They love his bat,” Derek January said, “and they love the fact that he’s as athletic as he is at the plate. They really want him to stay behind the plate. They don’t have any plans to move him to outfield or corner infield position.”
Derek January pointed out that some of baseball’s best hitters, including Bryce Harper, began as catchers but became either corner infielders or outfielders because of the demands of the position.
“Catching takes a lot out of you,” the elder January said.
The Januarys are happy with the terms of the contract, which includes a signing bonus. Derek January said he didn’t feel comfortable divulging the terms until the pact is actually signed today.
January hit .370 with five home runs, a team-high 11 doubles and 24 RBI during the regular season with the San Jacinto Gators, and then hit a tournament-high four home runs during the JUCO World Series earlier this month.
January is one of four players with Lynn-area connections to join English graduate Ben Bowden, who was taken in the second round by the Colorado Rockies, in this year’s draft class.
Also chosen were St. John’s Prep alumni Brandon Bingel of Peabody (Bryant), 22nd round, Pittsburgh Pirates; and Andover’s Dustin Hunt, 10th round (Northeastern), Houston Astros.
Former Peabody High pitcher Pat Ruotolo (University of Connecticut) was taken in the 27th round by the San Francisco Giants; and Salem State’s Richie Fecteau of West Newbury went in the 39th round, chosen by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
