Hodges Signs With Houston Astros
June 12, 2001 | Baseball
June 12, 2001
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech junior outfielder Kerry Hodges has agreed to contract terms with the Houston Astros and will forego his senior season at Texas Tech.
Hodges, a native of Glendale, Ariz., will report to the Martinsville Astros (minor league affiliate of the Houston Astros) in Martinsville, Va. by the end of the week. Hodges was a ninth-round draft pick (266th overall selection) by the Astros this past week in the 2001 Major League Draft.
"When you get drafted that high, it is really hard to turn down that kind of money because you very seldom ever get those kind of chances again," said Texas Tech head coach Larry Hays. "Kerry is a great kid both on the field and off and I am so proud of what he represents not only as a player but as a person. Myself and the other coaches and players wish him the very best."
Hodges started all 64 games this past season for Texas Tech and finished the year with a .339 batting average that was third best on the team. He piled up 85 hits on the year along with 11 doubles, six triples and eight home runs and was the only defensive player to not commit an error (1.000 fielding %). Hodges was the leading base stealer on the team and in the Big 12 this past season swiping 38 bags on 43 attempts.
"I am really excited about the opportunity to fulfill a dream and play professional baseball," said Hodges. "I just wish I could take all the great fans at Texas Tech and my coaches along with me. Last year at Tech was a year I will never forget and it was really hard to make the decision not to return for my senior season."