For the second time in 24 hours a UBC Thunderbird baseball player has been drafted by the Cincinnati Reds' organization. Just before noon on Saturday afternoon hard hitting UBC first baseman Bruce Yari got word he had been chosen by the Reds in the 24^th round, 708^th overall in the 2016 MLB Entry Draft.
 
"It's super exciting. It's something that I've dreamt about since I was a kid," said Yari. "I chose UBC because of its mix of academics and great baseball program. Just to have that decision working out, and end up paying off, and honestly being the best decision of my life feels really good."


 
Yari will have a fellow Thunderbird to confide in when he reports to a week long Reds' training camp in Arizona Monday. Yesterday, UBC's Alex Webb was selected by Cincinnati in the 9^th round. The players will travel together to start their professional careers
 
"I'm thrilled. I've been texting Webby back and forth all day. It's great we get to go through this whole process together."
 
Yari was a one-man wrecking crew for the Thunderbird offence this year. He batted .368 on the season and led the 'Blue and Gold' in every important offensive category. The durable and versatile Yari can play multiple positions and also was tops on UBC in games played with 61. He took time to thank his parents for supporting him in his journey.


 
"This is honestly just as much for them as it is for me. They spent countless hours driving me around when I was young," he explained. "My dad coached me up until I was sixteen and actually coached me in summer ball in my first two years of university. He spent countless hours throwing me batting practice, hitting me ground balls, hitting me fly balls, so he's kind of like the first coach."

With Yari joining Webb and Curtis Taylor (4th round, Arizona Diamondbacks) as 2016 MLB selections, it marks the first time since 2003 that three UBC players have been selected in the same draft year.