By Jesse Smithey
Perhaps the fact that Ryder Green used a wooden bat during his senior season was a signal that he would turn pro out of high school.
The recent Karns High graduate signed Tuesday to play for the New York Yankees — who drafted him in the third round with the 97th overall pick. He hit .442 as a senior with eight doubles, four triples, eight home runs and 39 RBIs. He walked 41 times and scored 42 runs.
He also went 2-0 as a pitcher with two saves and 31 strikeouts (six walks) in just 17 innings pitched.
His mother tweeted out pictures of the signing Tuesday, signaling the end of his amateur days. Green was a Vanderbilt signee.
According to an NJ.com article, the 97th overall pick had a slot value of $576,400. Jim Callis of MLB.com tweeted Tuesday that Green signed for $1 million.