Former Michigan designated hitter Brandon Roberts signed a deal
with the Cincinnati Reds and joined the team’s short-season
rookie club in Billings, Montana on Saturday. Roberts, who was
selected by the Reds in the 45th round of Monday’s draft, led
the Wolverines in hitting with a .368 batting average while earning
All-Big Ten honors.
- Michigan Baseball
- Former Wolverine DH Brandon Roberts was taken in the 45th round by the Cincinnati Reds after leading Michigan with a .368 batting average. (WILLA TRACOSAS/Daily)
“I wasn’t really sure even if I would get
drafted,” Roberts said. “Just to get a phone call from
the Reds to hear that you’ve been selected by them is
something I will never forget.”
After spending an entire season serving as the Wolverine
designated hitter, Roberts will now go back out into the field. He
made 106 starts in the Michigan outfield during his first three
seasons, splitting between left and right field, and was expected
to spend some time at first base last year before junior transfer
Kyle Bohm took over that position.
Roberts was the third Wolverine picked in the draft, marking the
second season in a row that Michigan has had three players taken,
with sophomore pitcher Derek Feldkamp and Brauer accounting for the
other two.
“It’s huge for recruiting because (Michigan
baseball) coach (Rich) Maloney can now show to recruits that we are
getting three to five guys getting drafted every year,”
Roberts said. “It shows to the younger guys, ‘Come play
here and your going to have a chance to play professional
baseball.’ ”