FDTC's Hunter Parks Selected by Reds in MLB Draft

Hunter Parks pitches against Monroe College in 2021 Eastern District Championship.

FLORENCE, S.C. (July 13, 2021) – Right-handed pitcher, Hunter Parks became the highest drafted Florence-Darlington Technical College (FDTC) Baseball Stinger in program history on Monday when he was selected in the 8^th round of the MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds.

Parks was selected by the Reds as the 240^th overall pick. He began the season battling through adversity. He endured an injury, and then he missed a month of play due to COVID-19 protocols; however, throughout the 2021 season, Parks’ efforts helped lead the FDTC Baseball Stingers program to its second-ever appearance in the NJCAA JUCO World Series. The team finished out the season 46-8, which is a program best.

“We are very proud of Hunter and thrilled for the opportunity he has with the Reds organization,” said FDTC Athletics Director/Head Baseball Coach, Preston McDonald. “We were 61-14 during his time here and he was an integral part of that success. I think his best baseball is in front of him as he's projectable as any pitcher in this draft class.”

In 2021, Parks started 10 games and went 6-0 on the mound. Four of the victories came in conference play. He pitched a total of 42.2 innings, and he accumulated a total of 58 strikeouts, averaging 12.23 strikeouts a game. He allowed only one home run, and two doubles. No batter knocked a triple while Parks was on the mound. Parks ended the season with a 1.90 ERA. He is known for his fastball that peaks at 95-mph, and he also throws a slider that is clocked in the upper 70s.

With Parks being selected in the 8^th round, he became the highest drafted FDTC Baseball Stinger. Right-handed pitcher, Elian Almanzar was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 22^nd round in 2019. Tanner Myatt, who is also a right-handed pitcher, was selected in the 11^th round by the New York Yankees in 2018. In 2017, right-handed pitcher, Trent Autry was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 17^th round, and left-handed pitcher, David Parkinson was drafted by the Phillies in the 12^th round after he transferred to the University of Mississippi.