Projo Sox Blog

Jay Rainville, the former Hendricken star who was drafted 39th overall in the 2004 major-league draft, has retired from pro baseball, according to a news release by the New Britain Rock Cats.

Rainville led the Hawks to the 2003 Rhode Island state championship, going 8-0 with a 0.00 ERA on the season, and was named Gatorade Player of the Year. The Twins made him a first round selection in the MLB Draft the following year.

Rainville had a sensational start to his pro career, going 8-2 in 2005 for Single-A Beloit and earning Midwest League All-Star honors. But he spent all of 2006 on the disabled list with a nerve injury in his right shoulder. He returned in 2007 and won nine games for Fort Myers of the Florida State League.

Promoted to Double-A in 2008, Rainville went 9-9 with a 5.78 ERA. This season he was 3-3 with a 5.56 ERA, performing as a starter and a reliever.

The Rock Cats said that Rainville told manager Tom Nieto of his decision to retire on Thursday afternoon.

 Tags  Hendricken Jay Rainville Minnesota Twins

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