Shortstop Hunter Haas selected in fourth round by the Tampa Bay Rays
Like a Haas.
On Monday, Texas A&M shortstop Hunter Haas was selected in the fourth round, 120 overall, of the 2023 MLB Draft by the Tampa Bay Rays.
Haas becomes the first Aggie middle infielder to be drafted since the Atlanta Braves picked Braden Shewmake in the first round in 2019.
One year in Aggieland was all it took for Haas to skyrocket up draft boards. The Arizona State transfer hit .323 out of the leadoff spot in 2023, scoring a team-high 61 runs with 10 homers and 46 RBIs.
More impressive than his offensive output atop Jim Schlossnagle's lineup was his reliability at shortstop. Smooth and confident up the middle, Haas fielded .974 and committed just six errors in 64 starts this spring.
Despite his highly-productive season, Haas was inexplicably denied All-SEC honors. Still, he was a semifinalist for the 2023 Golden Spikes Award and earned a second-team All-Central Region nod from the ABCA.
Born in New York and raised in Phoenix, Haas hit .300 during his collegiate career. A Freshman All-American in 2021, Haas appeared in 85 games during his two seasons as a Sun Devil and hit .278 before transferring to Texas A&M to reunite with assistant coach Michael Earley and first baseman Jack Moss.
Following a meteoric rise reminiscent of Michael Helman's 2018 campaign, Haas' departure certainly leaves a sizable void that is expected to be filled by Cal State Northridge transfer Ali Camarillo next spring.
Ryan Brauninger's scout of Hunter Haas
"Highly productive infielder that turned in one of the great seasons for a shortstop in Texas A&M history. Plays with outstanding instincts and feel on defense. Won't blow anyone away in terms of testing numbers but makes up for it with exceptional hands and an accurate internal clock. Extremely consistent in every facet of the game for the Aggies. In the box, he shows good rhythm in a high-hand setup that syncs with a small leg-lift to initiate his move toward the ball. Flat bat path that produces a lot of barrels. Also shows a knack for extending the swing against two-strike breaking balls. Can get a little pull-happy but will often correct after a short spell. Quality overall player."