Strieby slugging away in Double-A

Ryan Strieby, the 2006 Southeastern Conference Player of the Year, has done nothing but hit since arriving in Lexington in 2006 and embarking on his professional career with the Detroit Tigers organization.

Strieby, a 6-foot-5, 235-pound first baseman, is off to another amazing start to the season in his first year at Double-A, batting .292 (62-for-212) with 12 doubles, one triple and 14 home runs. A Brier, Wash., native, Strieby has totaled 46 RBI, while drawing 41 walks and striking out 60 times. Strieby has been playing for the Erie SeaWolves of the Double-A Eastern League, just a year after leading the Florida State League with 29 home runs in 112 games, despite missing most of August with a minor injury.

Following his monster season at high-A in 2008, Strieby was named the best power hitter in the Tigers organization by Baseball America, also earning Detroit Tigers Minor League Player of the Year honors.

A fourth-round draft pick in the 2006 MLB Draft, Strieby finished his UK career as a first-team All-American. Strieby helped lead UK to its first SEC Championship in school annals in 2006, leading UK in doubles (22), homers (20), RBI (77), total bases (164), on-base percentage (.473) and slugging (.704).