SAN ANTONIO — Former Roadrunners Ryan Hutson and Tyler Carpenter each agreed to terms with the New York Mets last week and were assigned to Rookie-level clubs on Monday. Carpenter will begin his career with the Kingsport Mets of the Appalachian League, while Hutson will start with GCL Mets in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Hutson was selected in the 36th round (1,092nd overall) of the Major League Baseball (MLB) First-Year Player Draft two weeks ago. He became the 22nd player in the program's 20-year history to be drafted and third to be picked by the Mets (J.R. Voyles, 2006 34th round/Bubba Castaneda, 2000 26th round are the other two). He is also the 14th player to be drafted during head coach Sherman Corbett's 11-year tenure.
The Round Rock native became the program's all-time home run leader on May 21 against Central Arkansas after belting three bombs, including his 48th round-tripper in his final at-bat at Roadrunner Field. Hutson went on to earn Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball and NCBWA/Pro-Line Athletic National Player of the Week honors following his record-breaking performance.
The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder finished his career as one of the top hitters in school history.
Hutson ranks among UTSA's all-time top 10 in five offensive categories: home runs (48/first), runs scored (165/third), RBIs (153/fourth), hits (218/eighth) and batting average (.320/t-10th). He also recorded 411 total bases, which translated to a .604 slugging percentage. He was a three-time All-Southland selection, including first-team honors in 2010.
Carpenter became the program's 14th undrafted senior to sign a free agent deal with an MLB club.
The Missouri City native was an honorable mention All-Southland pick this spring after starting all 58 games, while posting a .306 batting average with 11 doubles, three triples, five home runs and 36 RBIs. He also stole 11 bases in 15 attempts.
The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder completed his career as one of the most consistent performers in the program's history.
Carpenter finished his career with a .309 batting average and is tied for second all-time with 249 hits. He also ranks among UTSA's all-time top 10 in five other offensive categories: at-bats (806/2nd), runs scored (142/8th), doubles (45/7th), triples (8/8th) and stolen bases (36/7th). He started 200 games during his four-year career and also racked up 370 total bases, which translated to a .459 slugging percentage.
His brother, Matt, currently is a member of the St. Louis Cardinals' Triple-A affiliate Memphis Redbirds and he saw action with the parent club earlier this month.
Hutson and Carpenter join Matt Crocker (Rookie Casper Ghosts/Colorado Rockies), Jose Hernandez (Double-A Altoona Curve/Pittsburgh Pirates) and Michael Rockett (Double-A Erie SeaWolves/Detroit Tigers) as former Roadrunners currently playing Minor League Baseball.
