Dodgers draft first catcher in eighth round
The Dodgers now have someone to catch all of those pitchers they've drafted.
In the eighth round of the First-Year Player Draft on Friday, Los Angeles selected catcher Hunter Redman (No. 249 overall) out of Texas Tech.
The Draft concludes on Saturday with exclusive coverage of Rounds 11-40 beginning on MLB.com at 10 a.m. PT.
Redman, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound right-handed hitter, is batting .252/.288/.275 in 131 at-bats with Texas Tech this season.
"He's caught when he's dinged up a little bit, and he's really been stellar back there," Texas Tech coach Tim Tadlock told the Midland Reporter-Telegram. "He can really catch and throw with anybody, and on top of that, he's hit in the Big 12. I tell you we've always thought he could hit, and it is a big plus for us. Wherever he's hit, he's had some good quality at-bats."
Redman is looking to help his team advance to the College World Series. Texas Tech is hosting the College of Charleston in a Super Regional this weekend.
"I started off at the plate a little slow, and as time has gone on, I've come up to the plate with a better approach," Redman told the Midland Reporter-Telegram. "I've done what coach Tadlock preaches about our approach, and I couldn't be happier with where I'm at Tech. It's been a fun year with all these guys."