Sports

Ellisville Baseball Player Drafted by MLB's Toronto Blue Jays

Will DuPont, a Lafayette High School grad, was picked up in the 16th round of Major League Baseball's draft Wednesday.

Ellisville resident Will DuPont will have the chance to take a swing at the big leagues following his selection Wednesday in the 16th round of Major League Baseball's 2012 draft.

The 6' 1", 175 pound graduate, who completed his senior year this spring, previously committed to play at Mississippi State University, but told the Clarion-Ledger on Wednesday that he wasn't sure where he would end up this fall.

“Right now I’m taking it all in and I haven’t really thought about going to school or signing (with the Blue Jays). Both are possibilities,” DuPont said. “It’s going to take some time to figure out what’s best. I’m not going to shoot down any options.”

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The Clarion-Ledger reported that DuPont had a .413 batting average with the Lafayette Lancers this year, scoring four home runs and nabbing 25 RBIs. He also stole 28 bases and scored 46 runs, the newspaper said.

St. Louis Sports Scouting, a local sports blog, said DuPont "struggled" this past year after he "destroyed" his junior season when he batted .583, but noted that the young player still has great potential.

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"DuPont will be a nice piece if an MLB wants to take a chance on a prospect who will only continue to grow in baseball knowledge," the blog said.

Perfectgame.org, a baseball analysis website, noted that the short-stop who can bat from his left side also has the ability to play three infield positions, in addition to being fast and aggressive. DuPont also "makes (the) game the easy," the site noted.

Joe Dier, a spokesperson for Mississippi State University, said DuPont has until mid-July to decide whether he will pursue NCAA baseball or accept the offer from the Blue Jays, who could potentially keep or trade him if he enters the MLB.

"We’ve lost players in the past," Dier said of athletes' offers from the majors. "It’s kind of an unnerving time for the coaches."


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