Trojans pitcher Cook drafted

The Tampa Bay Rays picked former Colby Community College starting pitcher Alex Cook in the 2022 Major League Baseball player draft on Tuesday in Los Angeles. 

As a sophomore, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound right-handed hurler from Bethlehem, Ga., went 9-1 with four complete games. He was selected the week five Kansas Jayhawk Community College Conference (KJCCC) Pitcher of the Week after a dominant outing against No. 18 Cloud County when he struck out 13 over six innings in a 14-0 victory. Cook led the KJCCC with 103 strikeouts and a 1.71 earned run average in 63 frames.

In two years at Colby, he was the conference Western Division Pitcher of the Year twice and a two-time first-team All-Jayhawk Conference and All-Region VI selection. After logging back-to-back 100-plus strikeout seasons, his career total of 221 punchouts ranks second-most in conference history.

"We are super excited for Alex as he continues to chase his dream of becoming a big leaguer," said Trojans Head Coach Ryan Carter. "It is a

proud day for the college and our baseball program. I am grateful that Alex took a chance on a small junior college program halfway across the country for him. He is a great young man, and I can't wait to watch his journey. On behalf of myself, our coaching staff, and the college, we wish you all the best."