Foothill's Will Anderson Drafted by Tampa Bay Rays

Foothill High's Will Anderson has a tough decision to make.

The right-handed pitcher was drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 38th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Wednesday and has a baseball scholarship waiting for him at Fresno State University.

"It's a hard decision — a life changing decision," Anderson said. "It's going to take a lot of thinking. Money is the number one factor, but I'm young and still have a lot of growing to do and I have the option of my scholarship."

If Anderson takes the scholarship to Fresno State, he would not be eligible for the draft again for three years.

He could also play at a junior college in hopes of improving his draft stock for next year, but said chances are he'll go to Fresno State or sign with the Rays.

Anderson grew up in Pleasanton playing Little League and Pony before playing with the Livermore Heat as he got older.

He was a part of a junior varsity championship team at Foothill in his sophomore year before turning into the ace of the varsity staff.

"My Foothill career was a blast, but it went by really quick," Anderson said. "This year was fun, we advanced further than any team in school history (to the championship of the North Coast Section playoffs)."

The Falcons (20-8) finished second in the East Bay Athletic League and lost to Amador Valley in the NCS championship.

Anderson went 9-2 with a 2.17 era and struck out 74 batters in 84 innings.

"Will was a big ol' hog for us this year," Foothill coach Angelo Scavone said. "He's still going to fill out and get bigger and stronger. The older he gets, the better he's going to be. He's still a pup."

He sits 88-90 miles per hour with a good sinker Scavone said and "is right up there with other guys from Foothill who have signed."

Another Foothill product, Ryan Hughes, was also drafted on Wednesday out of the University of Nebraska. Hughes went in the 16th round by the Oakland Athletics, he was drafted in 2008 as well, following his freshman year at Chabot College.

Hughes did not play baseball at Foothill, he was a standout discus thrower on the track and field team.

He was 0-0 with a 5.40 era this year for Nebraska.

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