The Oakland Athletics selected LHP Cody Puckett in the 30th round with the 861st pick of the 2017 MLB Draft Wednesday afternoon.
Puckett has spent the last two years as a Blue Raider after transferring from Columbia State CC, making 29 appearances on the mound in a MT uniform. The southpaw has a career 6-6 record, to go along with a 4.57 ERA and 101 strikeouts.
“I’m extremely happy for the opportunity that Cody has,” said Head Coach Jim McGuire. “Oakland has followed him over the past year, and he’s pitched really well when their scouts were at our games.”
The lefty made nine starts this season and led the team with 71 strikeouts. Puckett also ranked 44th in the country in Strikeouts per Nine Innings with 10.89. He finished the 2017 season with the lowest ERA amongst the starting rotation, compiling a 4.76 ERA.
The Smithville, Tenn., showed his brilliance on the mound against Rice, throwing the best game of his career, going seven scoreless innings, allowing four hits, while striking out eight.
Puckett is the second Blue Raider to be taken in the draft after shortstop Riley Delgado (a teammate of Puckett’s at Columbia State CC) was picked by the Atlanta Braves in the 9th round yesterday afternoon.
“I’m very proud of how far Cody has come in his career, he’s worked really hard to get to this point,” concluded McGuire.
Blue Raiders Drafted by the Oakland Athletics
Cody Puckett (2017)
Matt Ray (2007)
Mike Messerly (1988)
