NCAT reliever going to Texas Rangers

Courtesy: NCAT Athletics

North Carolina A&T had another reliever drafted by a Major League Baseball team. Two years after Cutter Dyals was drafted by the Atlanta Braves, Aggie right-hand closer Leon Hunter (6-foot-3, 220, RHP, Garner, N.C.) was selected 1,045^th overall pick in the 35^th round by the Texas Rangers on Wednesday.

“I’m super excited for Leon and all the work he has put in his four years here at North Carolina A&T,” said N.C. A&T baseball coach Ben Hall. “He has been a consistent performer for us and had an outstanding senior campaign. I look forward to following his success at the next level.”

Hunter indeed had a career year as a senior in 2019. In 31.1 innings pitched, Hunter posted a 2.87 ERA with 31 strikeouts and only eight walks. He compiled a 3-1 record and recorded 10 saves in 25 appearances to earn second-team All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference honors. He was 44^th in the nation in saves this season while leading the Aggies to back-to-back MEAC Southern Division titles.

More@Leonjr_15 has been selected by @Rangers with the 1,045th overall pick in the 35th round of the @MLB draft. #AggiePride #ncat #anotherAggieDrafted @NCATAGGIES @NCATSUbaseball pic.twitter.com/LlwTpjh43Y

— N.C. A&T Athletics (@NCATAGGIES) June 5, 2019

In addition to being drafted, Hunter also has a degree in criminal justice after being a frequent member of the Chancellor’s Academic List and an All-MEAC academic team member.

He made 91 career appearances over 112.2 innings pitched. Hunter has a career 5.03 ERA with 87 strikeouts, 49 walks and 12 saves. His career ended with a 7-8 record on the mound. Opponents only hit .227 against Hunter over the final three years of his career.

N.C. A&T Drafted Players
2019: Leon Hunter, Jr. – 35^th round – Texas Rangers
2017: Cutter Dyals – 17^th round – Atlanta Braves
2014: Luke Tendler – 29^th round – Texas Rangers
2013: Kelvin Freeman — 17th round — Chicago Cubs
2011: Xavier Macklin–12th round–Oakland Athletics
2009: C.J. Beatty–26th round–St. Louis Cardinals
2007: Charlie Gamble–23rd round–Houston Astros
2006: Jeremy Jones–25th round–Colorado Rockies
2004: Duron Legrande–10th round–Montreal Expos
2002: David Nelson–43rd round–Kansas City Royals
1999: Harold Featherstone–15th round–San Francisco Giants
1999: Garry Templeton–49th round–Anaheim Angels
1997: Cory Lima–25th round–Florida Marlins
1975: Al Holland–4th round–San Diego Padres
1974: All Holland–30th round–Texas Rangers
1970: Wilson Stallworth–24th round–Atlanta Braves
1969: Lloyd Lightfoot–3rd round–Kansas City Royals
1969: William Robinson–10th round–Pittsburgh Pirates
1968: Lloyd Lightfoot–10th round–Baltimore Orioles
1965: Cliff Matthew–29th round–Baltimore Orioles