Michael Conforto, the Redmond Reporter‘s male athlete of the year in 2011, was a first-round, 10th overall selection by the New York Mets in the Major League Baseball draft last Thursday.

The 21-year-old Oregon State University junior outfielder hit .345 and had seven home runs and 45 RBIs for the Beavers this season, according to PAC-12.com. He was named PAC-12 player of the year for the second straight season and is a three-time All-American.

According to Amazin’ Avenue, the Mets’ SB National blog: “It’s difficult to say how he’s going to move through the system, but he’s a polished college player,” said Paul DePodesta, the Mets’ vice president of scouting and player development. “He fits our MO so well.”

During his senior year at Redmond High, Conforto was a crucial part of the Mustangs’ fourth-place run at the 4A state tournament and was the Mustangs’ starting quarterback. He sported a 3.669 grade-point average.

In a 2011 Reporter article, Conforto thanked then-football coach Jeff Chandler and current baseball coach Dan Pudwill and all the other coaches that helped him throughout the years. “My friends, my family and especially my parents,” he added to his appreciation list. “I’ve looked up to a lot of people and I feel like I’ve had really good role models. People were pushing me in the right direction, and I’m really thankful for all the instruction and direction I’ve been given over my high school years. I owe it to a lot of different people.”

As a Little Leaguer, he helped lead the Redmond North All-Stars to Williamsport, Pa. for the World Series back in 2004.

His mother, Tracie Ruiz-Conforto, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist in synchronized swimming, and his father, Mike, is a former linebacker at Penn State.