Washington Inks Former Hopewell High School, Kutztown University Standout to Deal, Makes Two Other Moves
WASHINGTON, Pa. (June 16) - Today the Washington Wild Things announced the addition of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, native and former Hopewell High School standout infielder, Ryan Cox. Cox played his college ball for a year at St. Bonaventure before heading to Kutztown University, where he finished off a solid collegiate career.
The team also announced RHP Griffin Krieg has been transferred from the 14-Day DL to the 60-Day DL. Washington has also placed infielder Braxton Morris on the suspended list.
Cox posted a .450 batting average and earned All-Area Team, All-Section and Top 20 Team honors as a senior at Hopewell. As a junior, he led his team with a .330 batting average and was awarded All-Section team honors. He hit .380 to lead the team as a sophomore and also played basketball in high school.
Following his career at Hopewell, Cox played in 31 games at St. Bonaventure as a freshman. He transferred to Kutztown for his sophomore year, where he started 32 of his 34 games played for the Golden Bears. His .303 batting average was fourth on the team. Cox hit one home run and drove in 15 as a sophomore.
He redshirted in 2016, then appeared in 26 games (24 starts) as a red-shirt junior in 2017. Cox's best season came in 2018 as a red-shirt senior, when he slashed .377/.444/.471 with eight doubles, a triple and a home run. He drove in 32 runs and struck out just 11 times in 138 at bats.
“Ryan was another one of our workout invites from June. With his defensive versatility and being a local Pittsburgh kid, we wanted to keep tabs on him if an opportunity became available," said assistant general manager of baseball operations Tony Buccilli. "He had an impressive senior campaign at Kutztown and we are looking forward to his progression playing professionally in his hometown.”
Cox is with the team for this week's six-game road trip, and will be active when the Wild Things take the field in Normal, Illinois, Tuesday for the first of three with the CornBelters. First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. Eastern from the Corn Crib.
