The six-foot-seven right handed pitcher was a two-time Sun Belt Pitcher of the Week in 2015 during his junior and final season with Georgia State. Bates was selected in the 15th round of the 2015 MLB Draft by the Anaheim Angels and has spent the past year pitching for the team’s rookie league affiliate Orem Owlz, where in 14 appearances he had a 1-3 record and a 5.40 ERA.
In April, Bates discussed the ups and downs of being a professional athlete and also how he has matured since making the decision to leave the Panthers last summer.