June 6, 2012
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa incoming baseball recruit Blake Hickman, junior Matt Dermody and senior Mike McQuillan were selected in Major League Baseball’s 2012 First-Year Player Draft Wednesday.
Hickman, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound catcher from Chicago was chosen by the Chicago Cubs in the 20th round (614th pick). Dermody, a 6-foot-5, 200-pound left-handed starter who hails from Norwalk, Iowa, was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 23rd round (723rd pick). McQuillan, a 5-for-11, 175-pound infielder from Evergreen Park, Ill., was chosen by the Washington Nationals in the 33rd round (1014th pick).
Hickman is ranked 212th nationally, and 21st nationally by position. The Simeon High School standout, regarded by professional scouts as one of the top catching prospects in the Midwest, is ranked as the 18th-best player in the state of Illinois by Prep Baseball Report. Hickman is a four-time White Sox Double Duty Classic Selection (2008-2011). He is a two-time White Sox Midwest Area Code Team selection (2010, 2011), a two-time White Sox and USA Baseball Breakthrough Series selection (2009, 2010) and a two-time USA Baseball Tournament of Stars selection (2010, 2011). Hickman was a Perfect Game National Showcase Selection and a Royals Midwest Showcase Selection in 2011. Additionally, he was an IHSAA 4A all-state selection and a member of the CPS City runner-up team in 2011.
“Blake is a very high-profile catcher out of the Chicago area,” said head coach Jack Dahm. “He has a very bright future. He will have a decision to make between college and professional baseball. We hope we can get him. We are excited for Blake and his family.”
Hickman will have the option to sign a professional contract or play for the Hawkeyes next season.
Dermody appeared in 14 games in 2012 and made 13 starts. He finished his junior campaign with a record of 1-7 and an ERA of 4.50 in 76.0 innings pitched. Dermody struck out 21 batters looking, which ranked ninth in the Big Ten. A year ago as a sophomore, he finished with a record of 4-6 and registered an ERA of 4.15. Dermody recorded 75 strikeouts, which ranks tied for 10th-most in a season in Iowa history. He has been drafted three times. Dermody was drafted in the 2011 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Colorado Rockies in the 29th round (888th pick), but chose to return and play for the Black and Gold this past season. Entering college, he was selected in the 26th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
McQuillan, who saw action at first and second in 2012 as a senior, ended his career at Iowa ranked first in singles (196), second in hits (242), fifth in at-bats (701), seventh in games played (193) and 11th in runs scored (133). He hit .330 or above in all four seasons as a Hawkeye, ending his career as a .345 hitter. McQuillan owned an on base percentage of (.489) this season, which led the Big Ten and ranked 11th nationally. He hit safely in 40 of Iowa’s 50 games and registered 18 multi-hit games to lead the team.
“I am very excited for Mike,” said Dahm. “He is one of the premier hitters to ever go through our program and is one of my favorite players I have ever coached. I am glad he is getting the opportunity to continue on and we wish him the best. Mike is a great kid, a hard worker, and should do very well. This is very well deserved.”
Four Hawkeyes were drafted this year. Incoming recruit Ryan Borucki was selected Tuesday afternoon by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 15th round (475th pick).
Under Dahm, 30 Hawkeyes have been drafted. Twenty-four players have been drafted in the past six years.