Banda drafted by Rockies

In 2007: In his second season with the Tri-City Dust Devils, Banda finished third on the team with 5 homeruns in only 118 at bats. His .432 slugging % as good enough for 4th on the Dust Devils. Banda finished the season strong batting .349 in August and .500 in September. On the season, he batted .254 with 17 runs, 6 doubles and 20 RBIs.

Career Highlights: In 2005, Banda was a 35th round draft pick of the Colorado Rockies in the 2006 MLB Amateur Draft after his junior campaign at California Baptist. Banda plated 6 doubles, 4 home runs and 21 RBI’s to go with his .235 BA during his first professional season.

Banda completed his collegiate playing career at California Baptist University. He was named to the All-GSAC team after hitting .382 (73-for-191), 11 home runs, and 48 RBI. Banda also gunned down 36 percent (31-of-72) of potential base-stealers as the team’s backstop. He also led the team with 16 doubles, and had a robust slugging percentage of .660.

He was also selected by the Rockies twice before in the MLB draft.  Banda, who was ranked as the 2005 Texas Collegiate Baseball League’s 6th rated prospect, was also named by Baseball America as a 2nd team Summer All-American. Prior to playing at Cal Baptist, Banda had also suited up for Cypress, JC during his freshman season, and for Orange Coast, JC during his sophomore campaign.