Diamondbacks select Court in 23rd round

Sleepy Hollow resident Ryan Court fully intends to become a business teacher someday, but first he intends to give the business of professional baseball a shot.

The Illinois State senior and 2006 Dundee-Crown graduate was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks Tuesday evening with the 694th overall pick in the 23rd round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

“It is a dream come true to have earned the opportunity to play baseball professionally,” Court said in a release through the ISU athletic department. “I feel so blessed that the Arizona Diamondbacks believe I have what it takes to help their organization in the future.”

The third baseman started 159 consecutive games during his final three seasons with the Redbirds. He hit .323 his senior year with 6 home runs and team highs in doubles (15) and triples (4), and he was named to the 2011 All-Missouri Valley Conference first team. He hit .295 with 10 home runs and 49 RBI as a junior.

Court was named to the MVC baseball scholar-athlete first team for the third consecutive season on June 2. One of three unanimous selections to the 12-man roster, he earned the honor with a 3.77 grade-point average as a Business Teacher Education major.

Court is also a two-time member of the Capital One Academic All-District V First Team, presented by the College Sports Information Directors of America.

“Ryan has become a pro draft pick as the result of a tireless work ethic,” Illinois State head coach Mark Kingston said. “He has been instrumental in our program’s growth recently, and an example of achieving on and off the field. This selection is much deserved, and I think Ryan is prepared to do very well.”

Court’s ISU teammate, pitcher Corey Maines, was also selected in the 23rd round with the 719th overall pick by the New York Yankees.