EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Jayden Voelker has always been a hard worker, from Coventry High School to Northern Essex Community College. Now, he has the opportunity to sign his first professional contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.

He’s excited to represent Rhode Island.

“The small states, we kind of get overlooked a lot. So to see not just myself, you know, making it professional, it’s really cool that we can all like kind of stand up for Rhode Island,” Voelker said.

Jayden’s stock rose this past year, posting an 8-2 record with a 1.48 ERA for Northern Essex and garnering attention from big league scouts.

“It all happened pretty quick,” he said. “The spring started and there was a couple scouts that came to my game. Then, after like one game, they all started like flooding to my games.

“There’s not a big crowd at JUCO but there was always a big crowd of scouts there which was pretty cool,” he continued. “At first it was pretty overwhelming in a good way.”

The Rays organization is known for developing talent in their minor league system.

“That’s what excites me the most is getting to the Rays organization,” Voelker said. “I’m so excited to get to work and get a lot better.”

Voelker will look to rise in the ranks and become the next Rhode Islander to play in the major leagues.

If you have a Hometown Sports Hero you’d like to nominate, email sports@wpri.com.

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