Madris (6-2, 185lbs) showed that this past year, hitting for a .422/.513/.757 line with 17 home runs in 218 at-bats. He also stole 14 bases in 18 attempts. That comes in a small division, so the stats should be taken with that disclaimer, but it's good to see when paired with the belief scouting report.
While Madris didn't rate as a top 500 prospect, Baseball America did have him as the 12th best prospect in a three star class in Colorado. They noted that he was one of the most dominant hitters.
The Pirates first selection on Tuesday, which included rounds three through 10, was Florida State third baseman Dylan Busby hit 14 homers his sophomore year, 13 this season, and came on strong in the second half of 2017 after hernia surgery last fall slowed his start. He has played both corner infield positions.
Bligh Madris had recovered from an injury to his pitching arm which threatened to derail and put his college sports career in jeoparady during 2016 season. But the Colorado Mesa University standout has recovered after treatment and therapy and has started 2017 season in center field. He is on fire at bat hitting .446 with 13 home-runs and 53 RB I's so far, according to the university website.
But it would not have been possible without him to help of people around him. He said. "I have to thank a lot of people but mainly my coaches here at CMU and most of all my teammates. My teammates have had my back through the rehab process through surgery through everything. They helped me get back and be the player that I am today," said Madris in an interview by the school newspaper.
Bligh is the son of Palauan father, Style Madris and an American mother Kim and they live in Colorado. Style who hailed from the island of Peleliu, went to school in the US in early 80's and had continued to live and work there.
With all the hard work his son, Bligh, has put in the weight room and therapy has paid off in big way because 46 games into 2017 season, Bligh leads the rocky Mountain Athletic Conference division. In virtually every batting stat category and people around him see big things in store for him in near future especially his head coach Chris Hanks who remarked, "I think Bligh will play professional baseball and it could be as easy as this summer. I think he is going to play after college and I think he has a chance to do well in doing it," said Hanks.
Bligh father's uncles were known baseball standouts all star players in the 1960's and 1970's during Palau glorious day of baseball. They are Kengich Madris and Singeru Techur, brothers of Sadako, Style's mother. They played for Asahi and Peleliu teams and were outstanding on the second and third bases and shortstop as well as outfield and at bat.
