LUBBOCK, Texas – The 2022 MLB Draft concluded on Tuesday with Texas Tech’s Austin Becker being selected in the 16th round by the Colorado Rockies. Becker, a redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher, was the fifth overall Red Raider to be drafted in this year’s draft but was the sole Tech selection on the third and final day that featured rounds 11-20.
Becker joins Sunday’s first-round selection Jace Jung (Tigers) and day two picks Andrew Morris (Twins), Brandon Birdsell (Cubs) and Chase Hampton (Yankees). Outside of infielder Jung, four of the five 2022 draft picks from Texas Tech were right-handed pitchers.
Since Tim Tadlock was named the head coach of his alma mater prior to the 2013 season, the Red Raiders have now had 64 selections in the MLB Draft. Becker became the 41st pitching selection during that stretch as Tech has developed into one of MLB’s top pipelines for quality arms.
Becker appeared in 13 games and made three starts in his third season as a Red Raider. The redshirt sophomore transferred to Tech from Vanderbilt prior to the 2020 season and saw his initial season cut short after making four starts and five total appearances due to the COVID-shortened season. He missed his second season at Tech to injury and used a redshirt year before making an impact in year No. 3.
Becker owned a 4.29 ERA in 2022 in 21.0 innings pitched. He made his three starts earlier in the season, each in midweek games, before being relied upon more heavily in the back half of the season as a closer out of the bullpen. Becker picked up two saves in that latter half, earning a key win for the Red Raiders at No. 3 Oklahoma State on May 15 and also earned a save in the Big 12 Tournament versus Kansas State on May 25.
Dating back to last season, the Colorado Rockies have taken Red Raiders in back-to-back drafts as Braxton Fulford was selected in the sixth round a year ago.
The 2022 MLB Draft concluded on Tuesday after 20 rounds. Once a 40-round affair, it was reduced to five rounds in 2020 and has been 20 rounds since 2021.
TEXAS TECH MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Jace Jung, INF – No. 12 / First Round (Detroit Tigers)
Andrew Morris, RHP – No. 114 / Fourth Round (Minnesota Twins)
Brandon Birdsell, RHP – No. 143 / Fifth Round (Chicago Cubs)
Chase Hampton, RHP – No. 190 / Sixth Round (New York Yankees)
Austin Becker, RHP – No. 476 / 16th Round (Colorado Rockies)
Becker joins Sunday’s first-round selection Jace Jung (Tigers) and day two picks Andrew Morris (Twins), Brandon Birdsell (Cubs) and Chase Hampton (Yankees). Outside of infielder Jung, four of the five 2022 draft picks from Texas Tech were right-handed pitchers.
Since Tim Tadlock was named the head coach of his alma mater prior to the 2013 season, the Red Raiders have now had 64 selections in the MLB Draft. Becker became the 41st pitching selection during that stretch as Tech has developed into one of MLB’s top pipelines for quality arms.
Becker appeared in 13 games and made three starts in his third season as a Red Raider. The redshirt sophomore transferred to Tech from Vanderbilt prior to the 2020 season and saw his initial season cut short after making four starts and five total appearances due to the COVID-shortened season. He missed his second season at Tech to injury and used a redshirt year before making an impact in year No. 3.
Becker owned a 4.29 ERA in 2022 in 21.0 innings pitched. He made his three starts earlier in the season, each in midweek games, before being relied upon more heavily in the back half of the season as a closer out of the bullpen. Becker picked up two saves in that latter half, earning a key win for the Red Raiders at No. 3 Oklahoma State on May 15 and also earned a save in the Big 12 Tournament versus Kansas State on May 25.
Dating back to last season, the Colorado Rockies have taken Red Raiders in back-to-back drafts as Braxton Fulford was selected in the sixth round a year ago.
The 2022 MLB Draft concluded on Tuesday after 20 rounds. Once a 40-round affair, it was reduced to five rounds in 2020 and has been 20 rounds since 2021.
TEXAS TECH MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Jace Jung, INF – No. 12 / First Round (Detroit Tigers)
Andrew Morris, RHP – No. 114 / Fourth Round (Minnesota Twins)
Brandon Birdsell, RHP – No. 143 / Fifth Round (Chicago Cubs)
Chase Hampton, RHP – No. 190 / Sixth Round (New York Yankees)
Austin Becker, RHP – No. 476 / 16th Round (Colorado Rockies)