Southern Miss shortstop Dustin Dickerson has been selected in the eighth round by the Kansas City Royals.
As the 229th overall, Dickerson’s slot value is $213,500. Dickerson is the third Golden Eagle to be chosen in this year’s draft, with Tanner Hall being selected in the fourth round and Justin Storm taken in the seventh round.
"Today and the past couple of weeks have been kind of stressful," Dickerson told Pine Belt Sports. "I have worked my whole life for this moment. There a lot of people to thank; Coach Trey Sutton, my family, Coach Travis Creel, Coach (Christian Ostrander), Coach Scott Berry and everyone at Southern Miss. They welcomed me with open arms and, man, I couldn’t have picked a better university to play for. I love that university with all my entire heart. I’ve worked very hard for this day."
Dickerson, a West Jones alum and Laurel native was a four-year starter at Southern Miss as he missed only one game in his career. He’s the son of Bobby Dickerson, who is an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Phillies.
"Today was there a bunch of phone calls going and (my dad) just said, ‘Welcome to the industry man,’" Dickerson said. "There was some laughs, but it’s kind of been what I have expected of myself since I started playing baseball. For it to finally come true is a dream come true. I can’t thank that man enough as well. He means the world to me, and he has taught me everything I know."
This past season, Dickerson displayed power in his final year as he hit seven of his 11 home runs during the Golden Eagles’ postseason run. This past year, Dickerson put up career-high numbers as he batted a team-leading .328 batting average, drove in 52 runs, and hit 21 doubles and three triples. Dickerson was named first-team All-Sun Belt and was named the MVP of the Auburn Regional.
Dickerson finished his career, which spanned 208 games, with a .311 batting average, hit 112 RBIs and 60 doubles, along with a career fielding percentage of .950.
"This place means the world to me and my family," Dickerson said. "It’s going to be different not being there anymore, but I’m still definitely going to be around. I have made some of my best friends there and they will be in my wedding so I couldn’t thank that university and coaching staff enough."
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