A former Washington Nationals draft choice, Sam Dyson of the South Carolina Gamecocks (best name in NCAA), was Oakland’s 10th round choice in the ‘09 draft.

Dyson is just a sophomore, after redshirting his 2007 season, due to injury.  He was a perfect 8-0 last season as a Freshman, earning All-American Freshman honors from Collegiate Baseball.  

Jumping up 9 rounds from his first bout with the draft in ‘06, Dyson was 9-4 this year, with a 5.21 ERA.  He struck out 94 in 102 innings, and walked just 38.  He held opponents to a .237 average, and had just one error in the field.

He was on the Academic Honor Roll two years in a row, and threw the most innings on the Gamecock roster this season.

Throwing hard off the mound, Dyson is apparently very smart on the hill, and was once considered a first-round pick for this draft.  He was the 14th best pitcher ranked by Baseball America, and like I said throws hard, in the mid-high 90’s.

Dyson was hit in the head with a bat as a six year old, but that didn’t stop him, and if anything it determined him more.

He had surgery on both of his shoulders and his right elbow in 2007, which is why he was red-shirted.

If you ask me, this is another steal, taking a risk on an injury.

Read more about the kid, here.