CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Following the conclusion of the 2022 MLB Draft, Austin Peay star catcher Jack Alexander signed with the Kansas City Royals as an undrafted free agent.
Alexander had planned to transfer to the University of Tennessee, but he decided to forgo his final year of eligibility to start his professional playing career.
“I’m looking forward to this opportunity with the Kansas City Royals organization,” said Alexander. “I’m ready to start my professional career, and I can’t wait to get to work and start playing.”
Alexander had been a game-changer for Austin Peay throughout his time with the baseball program. Over the past two seasons, the catcher had grown tremendously in a number of areas.
Alexander made his biggest contribution during the 2022 season. According to Austin Peay athletics, he led the team in categories such as hits, home runs, runs batted in and OPS.
| 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| GP | 53 | 55 |
| GS | 50 | 54 |
| AVG | 0.281 | 0.346 |
| Hits | 52 | 72 |
| 2B | 17 | 19 |
| HR | 6 | 14 |
| RBI | 28 | 55 |
| SLU % | 0.470 | 0.649 |
| OBP | 0.379 | 0.425 |
| OPS | 0.849 | 1.074 |
In addition, Alexander was an effective and efficient defensive leader. He finished this past season with a fielding percentage of .998. His play altogether led Alexander to be named a Buster Posey Award finalist.
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are in the middle of a rebuild, which includes a youth movement for the catching position.
The Royals only drafted one catcher throughout the process of the MLB draft, Hayden Dunhurst out of Ole Miss. It was fitting they added another catching prospect in Jack Alexander following the aftermath of the draft for depth at the position.
The average age of Royals catchers on the MLB roster and their farm system is around 25 years old. However, outside of the catchers on those High-A and Single-A teams, the average age is around 27.
The acquisition of the 22-year-old Alexander makes the catching position group that much younger and talented. He will report to one of Kansas City’s minor league affiliates in the near future.