Back in high school, David Wright just wanted to play baseball.  So that’s what he did.  All year long, in as many events as he could.  Not just to get seen by scouts and college coaches, but because it was what he loved to do.

“As an amateur I tried to play as much baseball as I could, I went to as many showcases and events and camps…I spent my whole summer playing baseball, traveling around the country, playing in different showcases and tournaments, things such as the Baseball Factory,” said Wright when interviewed by Baseball Factory in 2003.  “My whole summer consisted of playing baseball, that’s what I loved to do and that’s the sacrifice I wanted to make in order to get where I am today.”

And today, after all of his hard work, he is a rising star for the New York Mets.  Wright just completed his first full season in the majors, hitting .306 with 27 home runs, 102 runs batted in, 99 runs and 17 stolen bases in 160 games.  He led the Mets in eight offensive categories including batting average, runs, runs batted in, doubles and on-base percentage.  In addition, he led all National League third basemen in batting average, runs, runs batted in, hits and on-base percentage and was in the top five in six other categories.

Baseball Factory first worked with Wright in 1998, the summer before his sophomore year in high school, when he attended the Rookie Program at Prince George’s Stadium in Bowie, Maryland.  He later attended the B.A.T.S. Program in 1999 and was selected to the Pre-season All American Team in 2000 as a junior.  He attended the Pre-season All American Showcase at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida for a second consecutive year in 2001 where he made a name for himself.  He was one of the top five players in attendance that year and stood out to our scouts not only because of his on-field ability, but because of his character off the field.  You looked at him and you could tell that he had something special that set him apart from your average high school player.  He had the perfect combination of ability and attitude.

As Wright said, “I attended the Dodgertown event in Vero Beach.  Myself and B.J. Upton [Tampa Bay Devil Rays shortstop and former #2 overall draft pick], one of my close friends, traveled down there together and had a blast down there.  A lot of the same people I played against in Vero Beach, in the Baseball Factory event, I am playing against now in professional baseball.”

The future for Wright looks promising as he heads into his third season in the majors.  He should be able to build on the strong showing from last year and has the ability to develop into one of the elite players in the league.

The All American event has consistently featured top draft picks and future stars including Wright, Upton, Delmon Young (2005 Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year) and others.  Check back to find out the All-time All American Team.

Photos

Top Left = David Wright at the 2000 Baseball Factory Pre-season All American Showcase

Bottom Right = Baseball Factory Senior VP of Baseball Operations Steve Bernhardt (left) with David Wright at the 2001 Baseball Factory Pre-season All American Showcase