Damien High School senior Grant Hockin was indeed the first local player chosen in the Major League Baseball Free Agent draft, going in the second round to the Cleveland Indians. He was the only area player taken on the first day of the annual draft.
The 6-foot-2 right-hander was predicted to go somewhere between the middle of the second round to early in the third round. The Indians chose him with the 61st overall selection, the 19th pick in the second round.
Hockin, who has signed with UCLA, had been contacted by all 30 teams but said before the draft the Angels, Dodgers and Twins had seemed the most interested. Ironically, the Dodgers had the pick right after the Indians chose him.
Hockin, 18, went 9-3 with a 1.49 ERA in 14 appearances with 99 strikeouts in 80 innings in leading the Spartans to a berth in the playoffs.
He also excelled at the plate, hitting .379 and playing shortstop when not on the mound.
But he said all teams were looking at him as a pitcher. He can touch 95 mph on the radar gun and boasts both a two-seam and four-seam fastball, with the other usual assortment of pitches — curves, slider and change-up.
He spent all of last summer traveling to different showcases and high-profile tournaments that have further bolstered his resume.
The 6-foot-2 right-hander was predicted to go somewhere between the middle of the second round to early in the third round. The Indians chose him with the 61st overall selection, the 19th pick in the second round.
Hockin, who has signed with UCLA, had been contacted by all 30 teams but said before the draft the Angels, Dodgers and Twins had seemed the most interested. Ironically, the Dodgers had the pick right after the Indians chose him.
Hockin, 18, went 9-3 with a 1.49 ERA in 14 appearances with 99 strikeouts in 80 innings in leading the Spartans to a berth in the playoffs.
He also excelled at the plate, hitting .379 and playing shortstop when not on the mound.
But he said all teams were looking at him as a pitcher. He can touch 95 mph on the radar gun and boasts both a two-seam and four-seam fastball, with the other usual assortment of pitches — curves, slider and change-up.
He spent all of last summer traveling to different showcases and high-profile tournaments that have further bolstered his resume.