TUSCALOOSA- Dylan Ray once stated, “I’ve always believed let the light shine in you be brighter than the light shining on you.” Now after his first season of play for the Alabama Crimson Tide baseball team, almost like floodlights are shining on his incredible skills as a baseball player after being chosen as part of Major League Baseball’s 2022 Draft.

The reliable reliever in his freshman season for the Crimson Tide, Ray was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the fourth round as the 108^th overall player chosen in the MLB Draft. He was the Crimson Tide’s second selection in this year’s draft joining Connor Prielipp, who was a second-round pick by the Minnesota Twins as a pitcher.

Ray played a key role as the Tide’s closer during the 2022 season finishing the campaign with a 1-4 record, 4.60 ERA, 18 appearances, 49 strikeouts and posting eight saves, which was fourth best in the Southeastern Conference. He earned Freshman All-American honors and was named to the Freshman All-SEC Team for his outstanding performance on the mound.

His turnabout was a remarkable one as he missed his actual freshman season in 2021 due to an injury. He took a redshirt year and came back in highly expected form this year.

Ray came out of Bob Jones in 2020 as the No. 1 high school baseball player in Alabama and selected Alabama as his college of choice after being highly recruited by other schools including Mississippi State, West Virginia and Auburn.

Dreaming of playing collegiate and professional baseball has always been the way of life for Ray as he and his family moved to Madison while in the sixth grade. He watched You Tube videos on both how to hit and pitch and always thought of playing big-time baseball while having incredible games of backyard Whiffle Ball with his friends.

He’s still contemplating the decision of signing a professional contract or return for another season with the Crimson Tide. Either way his choice goes, Ray will certainly be under the spotlight.