June 7, 2011
Duran Scouting Video on MLB.com
Bronx, N.Y. -
Day two of the 2011 Major League Baseball First Year Player Draft got underway on Tuesday with Fordham recruit Matthew Duran (New Rochelle, N.Y./New Rochelle) hearing his name called in the fourth round (Pick #149) by the New York Yankees.
Duran was one of three early signees for the Rams back in November. A 6-1 infielder from New Rochelle, New York, he was a four-year varsity baseball player at New Rochelle High School. He is a three-time All-League selection, and was named to the All-Section team as a junior, when he also garnered team MVP honors. He was rated by Perfect Game USA as a top national prospect, and was selected Second Team All-Star for Lo-Hud baseball by The Journal News. This spring, Duran batted .580 (29-50) this year with, 36 runs scored, eight doubles, 10 home runs, 41 RBI, and 31 walks. He also posted a .750 on-base percentage, seven stolen bases, and only struck out once.
In the New York preview of the draft for Perfect Game USA on June 3rd, writer Allen Simpson listed Duran as the fifth-best prospect in the state. Here was Simpson's evaluation:
5. MATT DURAN, IF, New Rochelle HS
- Big frame (6-1/220)/big swing/big power, lets barrel fly, drives ball to all fields, limited on D, 1B in future.
In addition to playing for New Rochelle, Duran plays for Hank's Yanks, a team sponsored by Hank Steinbrenner, General Partner of the New York Yankees, and the New York Yankees area code team, for which he hit .300 during the Area Code Games in California, which has grown into one of the highest regarded high school talent tournaments in the country. A nominee for the National Honor Society, he also participated in the Empire State Games this past summer, hitting .450 with nine RBI.
"Matthew is one of the best hitters on the east coast. He's participated in two invitation only events in the East Coast Pro Showcase and played for the New York Yankees area code team, which played in the Area Codes Games, one of the top, if not the top, high school talent tournaments in the country," said head coach Nick Restaino back in November. "We are excited about adding his talent to our team."
