Puerto Rico Baseball Academy Producing Future MLB'ers

November 30, 2008 1:19 p.m. EST

San Juan, Puerto Rico (AHN) - A school envisioned by retired pro baseball player Edwin Correa has surpassed expectations, with 62 of its graduates having been selected in Major League Baseball's First-Year Player Draft

The Puerto Rico Baseball Academy and High School was started in 2001 to enable high school players on the island the opportunity to hone their skills and at the same time receive high school diplomas.

Located in the city of Guralbo, the school has an average graduating class between 55-70 students a year with thousands on the school's waiting list.

Since its inception, 44 of its graduate have signed professional contracts.

Those not fortunate to play professional baseball proceeded to college or a university in Puerto Rico or the United States.

Some of its notable alumni, who either drafted or signed to MLB teams include: Angel Sierra (Oakland Athletics); Francisco Ortiz (Pittsburgh Pirates), Helder Velázquez (Colorado Rockies); Jorge Charry (Pittsburgh Pirates), Leonardo Calderón (Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim) and Luis Sánchez (Toronto Blue Jays).

Correa made his MLB debut with the Chicago White Sox in September 1985 and joined the Texas Rangers a year later, where he spent the rest of his playing career.