June 10, 2009 at 12:13 PM
Sox select Jeremy Hazelbaker in the Fourth Round
The Red Sox began day two of the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft by selecting Jeremy Hazelbaker from Ball State University with their fourth-round pick, number 138 overall. The speedy center fielder hit .429 in his junior season with the Cardinals, getting on base at a .550 clip and slugging .724 while swiping 29 bases in 50 games as the team’s leadoff hitter. His on-base percentage was second-best in the country, setting a school record, as did his 77 runs scored and 8 triples. After playing his first two seasons at Ball State at second base, Hazelbaker thrived this year after being moved to the outfield, where he used his speed to cover lots of ground. Hazelbaker is also an adept bunter, and possesses good power, although he uses his skill set as more of a typical leadoff hitter by getting on base and causing havoc on the basepaths. Hazelbaker was ranked as the 107th-best prospect in the draft by Baseball America and 144th overall prospect by PG Crosschecker entering the draft.