LEXINGTON — The Boston Red Sox evidently hold Zach Sterry in high regard.
A 2013 Lexington graduate, Sterry was selected by the Red Sox in the eighth round of the Major League Baseball first-year player draft Tuesday evening. The left-handed hitting slugger out of Oakland (Michigan) University was the 251st overall pick despite missing the final nine games of his college career with a broken right hand.
“When I talked to scouts about the situation, they said it shouldn’t affect my draft status too much because of the way it was broken,” Sterry said Tuesday evening. “It wasn’t career threatening and once I’m back I’ll be 100 percent good to go.”
The injury short-circuited an otherwise sensational senior season for Sterry, an All-Horizon League second team selection. In 48 games, the first baseman batted a team-best .346 with 13 home runs, 44 runs batted in and a league-high .643 slugging percentage.
“That wasn’t the way I wanted to finish my career,” Sterry said. “It was tough.”
Sterry is expected to sign his contract Wednesday and then report to Boston’s New York Penn League affiliate in Lowell, Massachusetts within the week. The Lowell Spinners begin their season June 19.
“I’m really excited for him,” said Lexington graduate Brody Basilone. “It’s great for Zach and great for Lexington.”
A pitcher at Northern Kentucky University of the Horizon League, Basilone never faced his former Lex teammate. Sterry injured his hand in the second game of a doubleheader at Northern Kentucky on May 12.
“I didn’t get to face his in college,” Basilone said, “but hopefully I’ll get an opportunity at the next level.”
Sterry was one of the most decorated players in Lexington history. He was a three-time All-Ohio first team selection in Division II as a catcher, helping the Minutemen reach to district championship game in 2013.
“I’m still pretty close to a lot of those guys,” Sterry said. “I talk to just about everyone who was in that senior class.
“They are happy for me.”
While he was primarily a first baseman in college, Sterry might have to dust off his catcher’s gear once he’s healthy. The Red Sox would like to get a look at him behind the plate.
“I didn’t put on the catching gear once (in college),” Sterry said. “I’m hoping I can pick it back up. We’ll find out if it happens.”
Whether he’s catching or playing first base, Sterry can’t wait to start his professional career.
“I am honored that I can continue to play,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the next chapter of my career.”
