The last few weeks have been pretty great for A.J. Bumpass and they got even better on Wednesday when the Cincinnati Reds drafted the senior right fielder from the Cincinnati Bearcats. It was the culmination of a year in which Bumpass led the Bearcats into the unfamiliar territory of postseason success by playing some of the best baseball of his collegiate career.
It didn’t start that way, however. Bumpass’ senior season mirrored the campaign for the Bearcats themselves, as he struggled to start the year, found his footing as league play really kicked into gear and then dominated in the postseason.