University of Memphis Athletics
Tubbs Selected in Ninth Round of MLB Draft
Jun 09, 2015 | Baseball
Memphis first baseman is program's highest pick since 2013
Memphis first baseman Tucker Tubbs was selected by the Boston Red Sox in the ninth round of the Major League Baseball Draft on Tuesday, becoming the program's highest draft pick since 2013.
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"It's amazing, honestly. It has always been my dream to play in the major leagues," Tubbs said. "Getting drafted was just unbelievable. It all happened really fast. I got the call about 10 picks before and they told me to be ready to hear my name. It's a huge relief and a big weight off my shoulders. I'm just ready to get to wherever they send me and start playing."
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Tubbs, a Louisville Slugger third team All-American, was one of the nation's leading power hitters during the 2015 season. The senior is tied for sixth nationally with 17 home runs. He also ranks among the top-50 in the country in total bases (134).
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For the year, Tubbs batted .305 with 15 doubles and 55 RBI. He had a .601 slugging percentage and as the Tigers' everyday first baseman had a team-leading .992 fielding percentage. Tubbs led the American Athletic Conference in four statistical categories including home runs and runs batted in.
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Also named a first team Academic All-American, Tubbs graduated with a 3.87 grade point average in accounting. He is the he Tiger baseball program's only first-team Academic All-American and just the schools third ever.
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In his four-year career at Memphis he batted .291 with 38 doubles, 25 home runs and 138 RBI. He played in a total of 203 games with 189 starts.
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"We are extremely proud and happy for Tucker," Memphis head coach Daron Schoenrock said. "Obviously, I think the Red Sox have made a great choice and are getting a tireless worker, a winner and a class young man. I know I can speak for all of Tiger Nation by saying we look forward to following Tucker's professional career."
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With his selection in the ninth round he became one of three Memphis baseball players in the last 10 years to be taken prior to the 10th round. Pitchers Sam Moll (2013) and Dan Langfield (2012) were both third round selections.
Tubbs is the fifth Memphis player to be drafted by the Red Sox and the first since RHP Jonathan Lyons in 1996.
