The Seattle Mariners traded former Florida catcher Luke Heyman to the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night.
Heyman, a 14th-round draft pick this summer, never played a game in Seattle’s minor league system. The Mariners assigned him to the Arizona Complex League team to recover from a forearm fracture suffered in May. Seattle paid eighth-round money to sign Heyman away from Florida. He still had a year of eligibility left.
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Heyman slashed .301/.397/.578 (.975 OPS) with 13 homers, seven doubles, one triple, 44 RBIs, 37 runs, 22 walks and 38 strikeouts in 49 games (204 plate appearances) this spring.
Heyman spent three years behind the plate with Florida, taking over for BT Riopelle after graduation. While he may eventually end up a designated hitter, Heyman improved as a catcher enough in college to get the chance with Boston. Baseball America grades his arm a 55 (above average) on the 20-80 scale.
His right-handed power swing should play well at Fenway Park, should he make his way through the minor league system. Heyman hit 41 career home runs at Florida, good for ninth in program history. That number could’ve been greater had his junior year not ended early.
Florida fans could get a chance to see Heyman play in-state again. Boston’s rookie ball team plays in the Florida Complex League. An FCL assignment means playing in the backfields of JetBlue Park in Fort Myers.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Former Florida baseball standout Luke Heyman traded to Boston Red Sox.
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