UCF redshirt junior Mitchell Tripp decided to forgo his senior season and sign a professional contract with the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday. The right-handed pitcher was drafted in the 36th round (1,075th overall) of the 2015 MLB First-Year Player Draft on June 10.
Tripp spent two seasons with the Knights, but did not make an appearance on the hill due to injuries. The Bellingham, Wash., native did peak interest of professional clubs by touching the mid-90’s during UCF Scout Day on Oct. 21.
“Being a professional ball player is something that I have wanted to do my whole life,” Tripp said. “I am pretty excited about the opportunity that the Cincinnati Reds have given me.”
The Reds took a wait-and-see approach in regards to signing Tripp, who made three appearances with the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs in the Florida Collegiate Summer League before being offered a contract. He recorded a save and posted a 0.00 ERA with three strikeouts in 3.1 innings of work.
Cincinnati has chosen five Knights during the draft – Tripp (36th Rd, 2015), James Vasquez (25th Rd, 2015), Ben Lively (4th Rd, 2013), Rich Lawrence (11th Rd, 1995) and Chad Mottola (1st Rd, 1992).
A total of 27 players have been guided to the professional ranks under the guidance of head coach Terry Rooney since he came to UCF prior to the 2009 campaign. Dylan Moore, who was taken in the seventh round by the Texas Rangers, was the first Knight selected in this year’s draft.
Tripp is set to join former UCF teammate Vasquez on the AZL Reds in a couple of weeks. Vasquez has blasted a pair of homers and driven in seven runs so far in the Arizona League.
Article provided and written by UCF Athletics.