June 6, 2008
IOWA CITY – Two University of Iowa baseball players were selected in Major League Baseball’s 2008 First-Year Player Draft Friday.
Senior outfielder Caleb Curry was selected in the 14th round (417th pick) by the San Francisco Giants and junior third baseman Kevin Hoef was picked in the 48th round (1450th pick) by the Boston Red Sox.
Hoef now has the option to sign a professional contract or play for the Hawkeyes next season.
Curry, an Alexandria, MN native, earned his second bid as an outfielder to the second all-league team. The senior boasted team highs in hitting (.396), home runs (7), RBI (65), stolen bases (45), slugging percentage (.584) and sacrifice flies (8). Curry became Iowa’s single-season stolen base leader with 45.
“I am very happy for Caleb,” Head Coach Jack Dahm said. “He has worked extremely hard to get where he is and has turned himself into a tremendous player. After a very special season this year, I think he has a very bright future at the next level. He has the potential of excelling offensively and also, of being a very outstanding outfielder or second baseman.”
Hoef, a Troy, IL native, earned second team laurels in the conference this season. Overall, he hit .357 with nine doubles, four triples, three home runs, 31 RBIs, 17 stolen bases and an Iowa single-season record, 20 hit-by-pitches, a total that ranked 12th in the country. As a junior, Hoef set the Iowa career hit-by-pitch record with 49.
“It is nice to be drafted,” Dahm said. “We have always believed Kevin is one of the best players in the Midwest. However, it is some what of a disappointment to be drafted so late. Kevin will be looking at his options and head out to play in Cape Cod to increase his stock in the MLB. We’re very excited to have his potential come back next season, and have a tremendous senior campaign.”
Under Dahm, 12 Hawkeyes have been drafted. Six players have been drafted in the past two years. Zach Kenyon, Jason White, Dusty Napoleon and Travis Sweet were all drafted in 2007. (Kenyon optioned not to sign and play for Iowa.)