Pump Jacks Alum Makes History

Published on June 7, 2013 under Texas Collegiate League (TCL)
East Texas PumpJacks News Release


There have been more than three dozen East Texas Pump Jacks who have been selected in the Major League Baseball draft. But none of them are like Hunter Dozier.

The Jacks standout alum made history last night when he was selected by the Kansas City Royals with the eighth overall pick in the first round of this year's draft. Dozier became the highest-drafted TCL player, besting accomplished league alumni like Clay Buchholz and Hunter Pence.

Dozier, who played shortstop in college but has been projected to play third base as a professional, was predicted to be selected late in the first round by most pundits.

Dozier drew national attention because of his play at Stephen F. Austin State University, which had never seen a Lumberjack player picked higher than the sixth round. He was named a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, given annually by USA Baseball to the best amateur player in the country. He was also named a national semifinalist for both the Brooks Wallace Award, given to the nation's top shortstop, and the Dick Howser Award, given to the top college player at any position.

The awards did not stop there. Dozier earned first-team All-America honors and was name the Southland Conference Player and Hitter of the Year. He led the conference in batting average (.396), slugging percentage (.755), doubles (25), home runs (17), and total bases this season (160), and finished the regular season ranked among the nation's top five in each category.

Dozier leaves SFA as the school's all-time leader in hits and doubles, and also owns the single-season record for multi-hit games and doubles.

The 6-foot-4 Denton native suited up for the Pump Jacks in the summer of 2011, when he was named the TCL Freshman of the Year. Dozier appeared in 44 games for East Texas and batted .301 with eight doubles, a triple, ten stolen bases, and 31 RBI.

Dozier is the latest and most prominent link between the Pump Jacks and the Royals. Kansas City selected Kash Kalkowski and Abel Gonzales from the Jacks in 2011, then Beau Maggi and Johnny Walter the following year. Tyler Mack signed with the Royals as a free agent, and of course former head coach Ben Taylor was an associate scout for Kansas City.

Pump Jacks Nation couldn't be prouder of Dozier, but that doesn't mean fans should be focused only on one history-making alum. Former closer Jason Jester, who last summer obliterated the TCL saves record then broke the Texas A&M single-season mark in the spring, should be selected in the second day of the draft.

Jester will be at historic Driller Park Friday night to throw out a ceremonial first pitch prior to Fireworks Friday, present by Patterson Kilgore and CBS 19.

Make sure to connect with the Pump Jacks on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest in the draft, as well as news on the Pump Jacks 2013 season. Visit the Pump Jacks official website at www.pumpjacksbaseball.com for the latest game stories and promotional updates.

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Texas Collegiate League Stories from June 7, 2013


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