On the second day of the Major League Baseball draft Southland left handed pitcher Dan Lietz was drafted in the fifth round to the Toronto Bluejays, that was not the only Viking to be taken in this year’s draft though. 

On day three of the MLB draft two more Vikings had their names called to continue their quest to play in the show. Southland outfielder Corey Ray was taken in the 33rd round to the Seattle Mariners as well as past Viking and last year’s Midwest Collegiate League MVP Justin Ringo was taken in the 28th round to the St. Louis Cardinals. 

Ray, a 5-foot-11, 175-pound outfielder from Simeon High School is one of the most coveted left-handed hitting prospects in the country. A standout performer since his freshman year at Simeon, Ray enjoyed a monster sophomore campaign when he batted .415 with 45 runs and 14 stolen bases. 

Ray saw his national stock skyrocket over the summer and fall when he delivered at several high-exposure events. Ray was especially impressive at USA Baseball’s Breakthrough Series, where he showed off all his tools, including his pure left-handed swing.

So far this season Ray is batting .364 for Southland, also showing off his blazing speed as he is leading the team in steals with four. 

Ray signed to play at the University of Louisville next fall and has yet to make a decision as to whether he will sign with the Mariners or if he will play for the Cardinals out of Kentucky next semester. 

Ringo completed his senior year at Stanford as a First Team All-Pac-12 conference selection after hitting .323 with six homeruns and 34 runs batted in. 

The 6-foot-1, 210 pound first baseman bats from the left side of the plate mixing in a combination of power and speed that makes opposing pitchers fear him and viewing scouts want him. 

Being a graduated senior, Ringo is expected to sign with the Cardinals and work through their minor league system before making it to the major leagues.