Okey Drafted in Second Round

CLEMSON, S.C. – Junior catcher Chris Okey (Mount Dora, Fla.) was selected in the second round of the MLB draft by the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday night. Okey was the No. 43 overall pick, Clemson’s highest overall pick since 2012 (Richie Shaffer). He was also the Tigers’ highest drafted catcher in the history of the June draft.

Okey was a second-team All-American and First-Team All-ACC selection in 2016 who batted .339 with 16 doubles, two triples, 15 homers, 74 RBIs, 61 runs, a .611 slugging percentage, 51 walks, a .465 on-base percentage and four steals in starting all 64 games at catcher.

In his three-year career, he has started all 186 games, including each of the last 143 games behind the plate. He is a career .301 hitter with 41 doubles, four triples, 31 homers, 172 RBIs, 138 runs, 100 walks and 10 steals.

Okey was the first Tiger taken by the Reds since his former teammate, Garrett Boulware (2012-14), was chosen in 2014.

Clemson signee and infielder Carter Kieboom, brother of former Tiger catcher Spencer Kieboom (2010-12), was drafted in the first round (No. 28 overall) by the Washington Nationals, the same organization that drafted the older Kieboom in the fifth round in 2012.

Another Tiger signee, righthander Travis MacGregor, was chosen in the second round (No. 68 overall) by the Pittsburgh Pirates.