Texas Tech University Athletics
Bazzell, McGee selected on Day 2 of 2024 MLB Draft
July 15, 2024 | Baseball
The duo became the 177th and 178th all-time draft picks in program history, as Tech has had at least one player drafted in every draft since 1987
FORT WORTH – During Day Two of the 2024 MLB Draft, Texas Tech Baseball saw a pair of players drafted as catcher Kevin Bazzell (3rd Round, No. 79 Overall) and infielder Cade McGee (9th Round, No. 261 Overall) were drafted by the Washington Nationals and St. Louis Cardinals respectively.
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A native from Rockwall, Texas, Bazzell was selected with fifth pick of the Third Round by the Washington Nationals. Throughout his two seasons at Texas Tech, Bazzell hit .330 with 16 home runs and 96 RBIs. The corner infielder turned catcher, walked 67 times and struck out just 54 times during his 112 games played.
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The 2023 Freshman All-American hit .348 during his first season at Texas Tech, hitting 24 doubles, 10 home runs and 62 RBIs. Bazzell walked 45 times and struck out just 32 times, recording an on-base percentage of .452. Â Bazzell's 24 doubles during the 2023 season tied the program record.
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Bazzell was named a First Team All-Big 12 selection in 2023 and was a Second Team All-Big 12 selection this past season.
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The Red Raiders other draftee, McGee, shined during his first season with the Red Raiders as the infielder hit .282. McGee led the Red Raiders in home runs (15), RBIs (55), on-base percentage (.450) and walks (37).
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He was named the Big 12 Conference's Newcomer of the Week (Apr. 22) after going 8-for-20 with four home runs and five runs scored in five games against No. 2 Arkansas and West Virginia.
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The infielder saved his best baseball for the season's final month, as he hit four of his 15 home runs in the month of May and McGee drove in 14 runs and scored nine times in 12 games. No home run was bigger for McGee, then his dramatic, ninth inning, go-ahead home run in the Red Raider's 6-4 win over No. 24 Texas in the opening round of the 2024 Big 12 Championship.
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Bazzell and McGee are the 177th and 178th all-time MLB Draft pick in program history, while Bazzell became the highest draft pick since Jace Jung was drafted 12th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft.
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With the selections of both Bazzell and McGee, Tech has now had a player drafted every MLB Draft since 1987.
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A native from Rockwall, Texas, Bazzell was selected with fifth pick of the Third Round by the Washington Nationals. Throughout his two seasons at Texas Tech, Bazzell hit .330 with 16 home runs and 96 RBIs. The corner infielder turned catcher, walked 67 times and struck out just 54 times during his 112 games played.
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The 2023 Freshman All-American hit .348 during his first season at Texas Tech, hitting 24 doubles, 10 home runs and 62 RBIs. Bazzell walked 45 times and struck out just 32 times, recording an on-base percentage of .452. Â Bazzell's 24 doubles during the 2023 season tied the program record.
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Bazzell was named a First Team All-Big 12 selection in 2023 and was a Second Team All-Big 12 selection this past season.
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The Red Raiders other draftee, McGee, shined during his first season with the Red Raiders as the infielder hit .282. McGee led the Red Raiders in home runs (15), RBIs (55), on-base percentage (.450) and walks (37).
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He was named the Big 12 Conference's Newcomer of the Week (Apr. 22) after going 8-for-20 with four home runs and five runs scored in five games against No. 2 Arkansas and West Virginia.
Â
The infielder saved his best baseball for the season's final month, as he hit four of his 15 home runs in the month of May and McGee drove in 14 runs and scored nine times in 12 games. No home run was bigger for McGee, then his dramatic, ninth inning, go-ahead home run in the Red Raider's 6-4 win over No. 24 Texas in the opening round of the 2024 Big 12 Championship.
Â
Bazzell and McGee are the 177th and 178th all-time MLB Draft pick in program history, while Bazzell became the highest draft pick since Jace Jung was drafted 12th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft.
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With the selections of both Bazzell and McGee, Tech has now had a player drafted every MLB Draft since 1987.
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