Robbie Widlansky

Robbie Widlansky (born November 6, 1984, in Coral Springs, Florida) is an American baseball outfielder. Projected to be a selection in the 2007 MLB First-Year Player Draft, it is believed Widlansky will forgo his final year of eligibility in college baseball at Florida Atlantic University.

High school and college

Robbie played high school baseball at J. P. Taravella High School in Coral Springs, FL. He was honored both his junior and senior season as the "Broward County Coaches 6A Player of the Year." He also was named All-County (Broward) and All-State (Florida) twice in his high school career.

After graduating, he was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 2003 MLB First-Year Player Draft (34th round), but decided to decline and attend Florida Atlantic University.

In his college career, Robbie saw playing time immediately as a freshman at third base, and ended up playing in 48 games throughout the season. Highlights of his collegiate career include: an Atlantic Sun Conference Championship his freshman year, started all 60 of FAU's games his sophomore year, a Sun Belt Conference batting title his senior season (.430 average), and Sun Belt Player of the Year, All-American honors and First-Team All-Conference honors his senior season. His .430 average in 2007 broke the school's single-season record.

Professional career

Widlansky was projected to be a selection in the 2007 MLB First-Year Player Draft by various baseball scouting organizations. This would mark the second time Widlansky is drafted by a Major League Baseball organization, however this time he is likely to go higher in the draft than he did in 2003 (34th round). It is widely believed the junior would sign with the club that drafts him, forgoing his senior season at FAU. This would mark the beginning of Widlansky's professional career in baseball.

Widlansky was drafted in the 11th round (339 overall) in the 2007 MLB draft by the Baltimore Orioles. He was placed on New York-Penn League's Aberdeen Ironbirds' roster as a left fielder. While on the Ironbirds, Widlansky broke the Ironbirds' record for most RBIs in a single month (July '08). Widlansky was chosen by fans to be on the American League roster of the New York-Penn League All-Star Game.

On August 20, 2008, Widlansky was promoted to Class-A Delmarva Shorebirds.

External links

* [http://www.fausports.com Florida Atlantic University Athletics Site]
* [http://www.sunbeltsports.org Sun Belt Conference Website]
* [http://www.baseballamerica.com Baseball America]
* [http://www.ironbirdsbaseball.com Aberdeen Ironbirds Official Website]
* [http://www.theshorebirds.com Delmarva Shorebirds Official Website]

ee also

*Florida Atlantic Owls Baseball
*FAU Owls 2007 season