Medford Native Picked By Rockies in MLB Draft

Medford native Ben Waldrip had his named called in the 10th round of the MLB draft this week.

Waldrip, a 6' 6", 245-pound first basemen, was selected by the Colorado Rockies, according to a post on the Rockies website Wednesday.

Waldrip hit over .400 in the Greater Boston League his senior year at Medford. He amassed 12 home runs and a .357 career average in high school. He has since gone on to play at Cypress Junior College and most recently Jacksonville State.

In 2012, Waldrip hit 18 home runs with 61 RBI and a 1.070 OPS for Jacksonville State.

Nick Tucci coached Waldrip at Medford High.

"Ben Waldip has always been a consumate professional in the classroom, on the ball field, and in the community," Tucci said in an email Thursday. "He is a role model for the young players of Medford, proving that if you work hard and go about things the right way, good things will ultimately happen. I congratulate Ben and his family. I wish him the best of luck in his pursuit of the utlimate boyhood dream, making it to the big leagues."