Hawkeyes’ Hickman taken by the White Sox

IOWA CITY - He went later than he thought, but Blake Hickman couldn't have picked a better team to go later to.

The junior University of Iowa pitcher was selected by the Chicago White Sox in the eighth round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft on Tuesday. Hickman grew up on the south side of Chicago and the Sox are his favorte team.

Some draft experts predicted Hickman to go as high as the second round, but he wasn't selected until the 202nd overall pick. The right-hander had a breakthrough season for the Hawkeyes, a 6-foot-5 converted catcher who developed into an all-Big Ten Conference player.

He went 9-2 with a 2.99 earned run average as Iowa advanced to a NCAA Regional and won a game for the first time in over four decades.

'THANK YOU @whitesox never been so excited to get started,” Hickman said on Twitter. 'Thank you for giving me this opportunity!!”

Hickman has another year of eligibility remaining at Iowa, but, obviously, wants to sign a contract and begin his professional career.

The MLB draft concludes Wednesday with the final 30 rounds.