Former Eagle Pitcher Named To MCC Coaching Staff

MERIDIAN – Meridian Community College head coach Chris Rose announced Wednesday the hiring of Chris Rayborn to his baseball coaching staff.

“I am very excited to have Chris join our staff,” said Rose.

“He has worked camps for Southern Miss, Memphis and here at MCC. He is a guy that did what we hope for all our players, he worked hard, got a large scholarship offer to a SEC school, and went on to play professional baseball. He has been very successful and he is a guy that is passionate about what he does.”

For Rayborn, a graduate of Adams Christian High School, returning to MCC is a homecoming. A native of Natchez, Miss, Rayborn was an All America pitcher for the Eagles in 2004, helping guide MCC to their last back-to-back trips to the Div. 1 Junior College World Series in Grand Junction, CO. in 2003 & 2004.

“I am excited to come back to MCC because the two years here were probably the best two years of my life,” said Rayborn.

“I am excited that Coach Rose has given me this opportunity and I am looking forward to working with our pitching staff.”

Rayborn comes back to MCC following his playing career in professional baseball. After his sophomore season at MCC, Rayborn signed a pro ball contract with the San Diego Padres organization. He spent time in Phoenix, AZ, Eugene, OR, and Ft. Wayne, IN playing baseball in the minor leagues. He led the Arizona Rookie league in ERA and innings pitched.

Prior to his stint professional baseball, Rayborn had one of the more decorated pitching careers for MCC. He was a consensus All American, named to Baseball America’s first team All America squad, he was also an All State and All Region selection for MCC. He ranks in MCC’s top three for most strikeouts among Eagle pitchers with 156 career K’s. He had 19 career wins for MCC in his two years on the mound, going 9-2 his sophomore season and 10-3 his freshman season, which included a win in the 2003 Juco World Series.

Rayborn will join former SEC baseball standout, Joe Caruso, who is entering his second year on staff, as an assistant baseball coach. Rayborn’s specific position responsibility will be working with the pitching staff.