BUC PITCHER NAMED TOP JUCO PROSPECT

Buccaneer pitcher named nation’s top junior college prospect

Blinn College sophomore Robbie Dickey is in elite company.

Robbie Dickey
Robbie Dickey

The right-handed pitcher was named the No. 1 overall junior college prospect in the nation by Perfect Game USA, a national baseball scouting organization. Dickey joins Kendall Korbal from Blinn’s 2009 team as the only Buccaneers to receive the honor.

Dickey spent the offseason tweaking his mechanics, developing his secondary pitches and working in the weight room. With a 6-foot-2 frame that has bulked up to 210 pounds, his fastball now reaches the mid-90s and is complemented by a recently-added changeup.

“It’s really great to be named and I love it –– the praise from everyone has been really cool –– but it’s another stepping-stone,” Dickey said. “It’s a good mark to have, but there’s a lot more to go.”

Dickey steps in as the Buccaneers’ ace this season, replacing Karl Malecek, who signed with the University of British Columbia during the offseason.Robbie Dickey SMALL

“The thing that’s really impressive about Robbie is that he’s made this jump in small increments that have led to a big difference,” coach Harvey McIntyre said.

Though Dickey is signed with Texas State University after this season, he’s garnering the attention of many professional scouts. Perfect Game USA said he could be picked as high as the second or third round in the MLB First-Year Player Draft held June 5-7.

Per Perfect Game USA: “A relative unknown in 2013 after posting a modest 6-6, 3.82 record with 63 strikeouts in 73 innings as a freshman at Blinn, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Dickey became a marked man among Texas-based scouts this fall when the velocity on his fastball, typically in the 89-91 mph range last spring, spiked to the mid-90s. With greater arm speed in a loose, easy delivery, his secondary pitches also became much sharper.”

Dickey is well aware that come the Bucs’ season opener Jan. 31 against Frank Phillips College, there will be added pressure as he steps on the mound. But it’s not anything the nation’s best junior college baseball player feels he can’t handle.

“I really enjoy the pressure and everything that comes with it,” Dickey said. “I like having that chip on my shoulder that everyone is going to be coming after me. I think it helps improve my game.”

For more information on Blinn baseball, visit www.buccaneersports.com.

(Story & photos courtesy: Matt Keyser, Blinn Information)

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