Photo by: Rob Foldy
Harris Drafted by San Diego Padres in Seventh Round
Jun 05 | Baseball
Two-sport athlete from Rutgers taken as the 201st overall pick
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The San Diego Padres selected Rutgers two-sport athlete Jawuan Harris in the seventh round of the MLB Draft on Tuesday. The 201st pick overall, Harris is the highest Scarlet Knight to be taken since Patrick Kivlehan went in the fourth round to the Seattle Mariners in 2012.
"I'm ready to get going and thankful to the Padres organization for the opportunity," Harris said.
"The Padres are getting a great talent in their organization," head coach Joe Litterio said. "We wish Jawuan the best of luck in his young and bright career and thank him for his time 'On the Banks.'"
A member of the baseball and football programs, Harris is the first letterwinner from both sports to be picked in the MLB Draft since Kivlehan, with Eric Young in 1989 (Los Angeles Dodgers, 43rd round) previously achieving the feat. Harris now has until July 6 to make a decision on signing with one season of eligibility remaining for baseball and two for football.
Harris played in 136 games on the diamond for the Scarlet Knights and ranks third in school history with 82 stolen bases, a number that leads all Division I players over the last three seasons. He swiped 37 bases in 2016, third-most in a single-season in the program record books, fifth in the nation and 13 more than any other player in the Big Ten, and followed with totals of 23 and 22, in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
At the plate, Harris produced 22 doubles, seven triples, 13 home runs, 98 runs and 76 RBIs during his career. The centerfielder drew 81 walks to help record a .373 on-base percentage, including a team-best .391 OBP in conference play in this past season, to go with a .418 collegiate slugging mark. One of his highlights was a three-homer performance in the nightcap of a doubleheader at USC Upstate in 2017. It was the first such occurrence for a Scarlet Knight since 2002.
Harris played two seasons for Rutgers football, competing on both sides of the ball over 23 games. He led all Big Ten freshmen in 2016 with 39 receptions for 481 yards as a wide receiver, scoring three touchdowns. Then after moving to safety, Harris totaled 41 tackles and tied the team lead with three interceptions during the fall of 2017. His collegiate debut on defense helped the Scarlet Knights to a road win at Illinois by collecting a game-high 11 tackles with a forced fumble and an interception.
A native of Pembroke Pines, Florida, Harris played both sports at St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
Harris is the first Scarlet Knight to be drafted by the Padres since Ryan Hill in the 15th round in 2007. Kivlehan made his major league debut with the team in 2016. The selection makes it seven consecutive years that a Rutgers baseball product has been either drafted or signed by an MLB organization.
In addition, Harris is the ninth Rutgers student-athlete to be drafted by the professional ranks this year, joining Kemoko Turay and Sebastian Joseph (football); Casey Murphy (women's soccer); Tyler Scaife (women's basketball); Jules Heningburg, Michael Rexrode, Christian Mazzone (men's lacrosse) and Amanda Casten (women's lacrosse).
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding baseball, follow the program on Twitter (@RutgersBaseball), Instagram (@rutgersbaseball), Facebook (/BaseballRU) and Snapchat (rutgersbaseball). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
"I'm ready to get going and thankful to the Padres organization for the opportunity," Harris said.
"The Padres are getting a great talent in their organization," head coach Joe Litterio said. "We wish Jawuan the best of luck in his young and bright career and thank him for his time 'On the Banks.'"
A member of the baseball and football programs, Harris is the first letterwinner from both sports to be picked in the MLB Draft since Kivlehan, with Eric Young in 1989 (Los Angeles Dodgers, 43rd round) previously achieving the feat. Harris now has until July 6 to make a decision on signing with one season of eligibility remaining for baseball and two for football.
Harris played in 136 games on the diamond for the Scarlet Knights and ranks third in school history with 82 stolen bases, a number that leads all Division I players over the last three seasons. He swiped 37 bases in 2016, third-most in a single-season in the program record books, fifth in the nation and 13 more than any other player in the Big Ten, and followed with totals of 23 and 22, in 2017 and 2018, respectively.
At the plate, Harris produced 22 doubles, seven triples, 13 home runs, 98 runs and 76 RBIs during his career. The centerfielder drew 81 walks to help record a .373 on-base percentage, including a team-best .391 OBP in conference play in this past season, to go with a .418 collegiate slugging mark. One of his highlights was a three-homer performance in the nightcap of a doubleheader at USC Upstate in 2017. It was the first such occurrence for a Scarlet Knight since 2002.
Harris played two seasons for Rutgers football, competing on both sides of the ball over 23 games. He led all Big Ten freshmen in 2016 with 39 receptions for 481 yards as a wide receiver, scoring three touchdowns. Then after moving to safety, Harris totaled 41 tackles and tied the team lead with three interceptions during the fall of 2017. His collegiate debut on defense helped the Scarlet Knights to a road win at Illinois by collecting a game-high 11 tackles with a forced fumble and an interception.
A native of Pembroke Pines, Florida, Harris played both sports at St. Thomas Aquinas High School.
Harris is the first Scarlet Knight to be drafted by the Padres since Ryan Hill in the 15th round in 2007. Kivlehan made his major league debut with the team in 2016. The selection makes it seven consecutive years that a Rutgers baseball product has been either drafted or signed by an MLB organization.
In addition, Harris is the ninth Rutgers student-athlete to be drafted by the professional ranks this year, joining Kemoko Turay and Sebastian Joseph (football); Casey Murphy (women's soccer); Tyler Scaife (women's basketball); Jules Heningburg, Michael Rexrode, Christian Mazzone (men's lacrosse) and Amanda Casten (women's lacrosse).
So grateful to be blessed with this opportunity! Thank you to the Padres organization, my family, Rutgers, and anyone who has supported me along the way. Now it's time to dedicate my time to one sport and become the best that I can be.???????????? #JustGettingStarted https://t.co/n1ZgnDhETM
— Jay Harris (@JayHarris_1) June 5, 2018
Jawuan Harris drafted by the @Padres in the seventh round! Two-sport athlete picked up 82 stolen bases over the last three seasons. #RBaseball
— Rutgers Baseball (@RutgersBaseball) June 5, 2018
Release: https://t.co/8jdICqGBzf pic.twitter.com/wUO1KEPGHV
In the seventh round of the 2018 #MLBDraft, the #Padres select CF Jawuan Harris from @RutgersBaseball! pic.twitter.com/1ffhBhqVfs
— San Diego Padres (@Padres) June 5, 2018
#RBaseball has now had a player drafted or signed by an MLB organization in each of the last seven years!
— Rutgers Baseball (@RutgersBaseball) June 5, 2018
2018 - Harris (SD)
2017 - Herrmann (LAA)
2016 - Brey (HOU)
2015 - McCoy (KC)
2014 - O'Grady (CIN)
2013 - Smorol (BOS)
2012 - Kivlehan (SEA), Fasano (MIL) pic.twitter.com/RCx4PZNOrB
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding baseball, follow the program on Twitter (@RutgersBaseball), Instagram (@rutgersbaseball), Facebook (/BaseballRU) and Snapchat (rutgersbaseball). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
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