FROM CBD NEWS SOURCE
WILMINGTON, North Carolina – Following a six-year professional career, including a stint with the Pittsburgh Pirates, John Raynor has joined the UNCW baseball coaching staff as he completes his undergraduate degree.
“We’re excited to have a former player with the experience and success that John enjoyed both at the college and professional levels rejoin the program,” said UNCW Head Coach Mark Scalf. “John meant a lot to the success of the program the heights that it has reached.”
While with the Seahawks, Raynor helped the program to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2003, 2004 and 2006. He was selected by the Florida Marlins in the ninth round of the 2006 Major League Baseball draft and played four seasons in the minor league system. In 2009, he was selected by the Pirates with the second pick of the Rule V draft.
Raynor played in 11 games with the Pirates before returning to the Marlins, where he retired following spring training in 2011.
The speedy outfielder from Benson, N.C., still holds the program’s single season stolen base mark with 42 in 2006. Raynor ranks third all-time with 74 swipes and was thrown out just nine times. He ranks among UNCW’s top-10 in 10 categories.
As a professional, Raynor was the South Atlantic League Most Valuable Player in 2007 after hitting .333 with 110 runs scored and stealing 54 bases. Raynor had four seasons of at least 19 stolen bases in the minor leagues.
The Seahawks open the 2012 season on Feb. 17-19 when they host Ohio in a three-game series at Brooks Field, which will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this spring.
