Florida Atlantic University Athletics
Three Former Owls Invited to Spring Training Camps
1/20/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BOCA RATON, Fla. â€" Former Florida Atlantic University standouts RJ Alvarez, Ryan Garton and Austin Gomber have been invited to partake in MLB Spring Training camps this year.
"We are extremely happy for RJ, Ryan and Austin," FAU Head Coach John McCormack said. "What a great opportunity and honor to get invited to big league camp. We couldn't be more proud of what they have accomplished so far in their professional careers and this is a testament to those accomplishments. I look forward to following their progress during spring training."
Alvarez, a 2012 third-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Angels, will return to play for the Oakland Athletics after making 21 appearances in 2015. The right-handed pitcher dealt 23 strikeouts in 20 innings of work, averaging 10.25 strikeouts per nine innings.
With more than 200 strikeouts under his belt in the minors, Garton will join the Tampa Bay Rays camp for a shot at the big leagues. A 34th round pick in 2012, Garton held batters to a .197 average and boasted an ERA of 2.95 last season for the Montgomery Biscuits.
Gomber, a 6-5 lefty, was named a St. Louis Cardinals All-Star with an organization-best 15 wins last season for the Peoria Chiefs. The 2014 fourth-round pick dealt 140 strikeouts in 135 innings with a 2.67 ERA, including a complete-game shutout.
