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Michael Rockett
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Jose
Hernandez
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NEW YORK — Senior outfielders
Michael Rockett and Jose Hernandez both were selected during
the second day of the Major League Baseball (MLB) First Year
Player Draft on Wednesday.
Rockett was chosen by the
Detroit Tigers in the 13th round (No. 390 overall), while the
Pittsburgh Pirates took Hernandez 10 rounds later (No. 685
overall).
Rockett, selected with the 10th pick of the
13th round, became the third-highest pick in program history
behind Mark Schramek (first round/Cincinnati Reds/2002) and
Jeff Hutzler (10th round/San Francisco
Giants/1995).
The Sugar Land native recently wrapped up
his four-year UTSA career, a stint that saw him become a
second-team All-American and the Southland Conference Player
of the Year as a junior. He also was a two-time first-team
All-SLC honoree (just the second player in school history to
earn such honors/Jeff Juarez, 1998-99), and a four-time
all-league selection overall (second teamer in
2006-07).
"Michael becoming the third-highest draft
choice in school history is a fitting end to an outstanding
four years as a Roadrunner," ninth-year head coach Sherman
Corbett said. "He has worked so hard to get to this point and
I wish him nothing but success as he continues his career at
the professional level."
In his final campaign with the
Roadrunners, the center fielder led the team in batting
average (career-high .394), runs scored (63), hits
(school-record 99), multi-hit games (33) and total bases
(SLC-leading 167). He also posted 17 doubles, three triples, a
career-best 15 home runs and 58 RBIs to go along with 14
stolen bases and eight outfield assists. Rockett, who recorded
a hit in all but four of 56 games during the spring, also
registered three hitting streaks of 14 games or more,
including a career-best 20-gamer. He broke league career
records for at-bats (940), hits (337), doubles (64), RBIs
(210) and total bases (537), as well as UTSA all-time marks
for games started (218) and runs (200). Rockett was just as
impressive in conference games, hitting .390 with 37 runs,
nine doubles, a triple, six homers, 31 RBIs and eight stolen
bases.
Hernandez, the fourth pick of the 23rd round,
saw his stock rise with an outstanding final campaign in navy
blue and orange, one that concluded with second-team All-SLC
accolades.
The Anaheim Hills, Calif., native hit .360
with 60 runs, a school-record-tying 25 doubles, one triple, 17
home runs, a team-high 61 RBIs and eight stolen bases. He
accumulated 156 total bases, which translated to a
squad-leading .739 slugging percentage, and also walked 37
times and was hit by a dozen pitches, giving him a club-best
.473 on-base percentage. In fact, Hernandez reached base by
hit, walk or hit by pitch in all but one contest last season.
He tied a school record with three home runs, including a
two-run walk-off shot, on March 6 against Southeastern
Louisiana and also had a career-high six RBIs in that tilt,
one of a team-leading 17 multi-RBI efforts last spring.
Hernandez was even more of a force in league action, hitting
.376 with 37 runs, 14 doubles, 11 home runs, 38 RBIs and an
SLC-best 94 total bases (.752 SLG%).
"Jose worked very
hard to put himself into a position to earn this opportunity
and I am very proud of him," Corbett said. "I know it's always
been a life-long dream of his to play professionally and he
now has that opportunity. I also wish him all the best as he
continues his career in the Pirates' organization."
The
pair pushed Corbett’s draftees to 12 and the program now has a
total of 20 in its 18-year history.
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