Anfernee Grier selected 39th overall by Arizona in 2016 MLB Draft
AUBURN, Ala. (auburntigers.com) – Auburn junior outfielder Anfernee Grier was selected 39th overall Thursday by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the compensation A round of the 2016 MLB First-Year Player Draft.
“Anfernee is a homegrown talent from right down the road in Phenix City,” Auburn head coach Butch Thompson said. “He came to Auburn and developed not only into first team All-American, but into the first pick of the night by the Diamondbacks.”
A first team All-American, All-SEC selection and Golden Spikes Award semifinalist, Grier batted .366 on the season with 12 home runs and 41 RBI. He finished the regular season ranked among the SEC leaders in average (4th), hits (87, 2nd), runs (56, 1st), homers (2nd), stolen bases (19, 7th) and total bases (137, 1st).
Grier’s selection at No. 39 overall is the highest for an Auburn player since All-American Gabe Gross was taken 15th overall by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2001.
Grier was named a preseason All-SEC first team selection in February. Through three collegiate seasons, Grier recorded 207 hits with 58 extra-base hits, 72 hits and 35 stolen bases.
“Anfernee had such a special season and has worked so hard,” Thompson said. “It’s nice to see his character and hard work pay off. He and his family are so deserving of this MLB selection. We are thankful for their sincere support and we wish him all the best as he embarks on his dream to become a Major League player. He will be a part of the Auburn family forever.”
Auburn has had at least one player selected in the MLB draft for 42 consecutive seasons, which ties for the second-longest active streak in the Southeastern Conference. The Tigers are tied with Arkansas and trail only Georgia.
