June 7, 2014

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky junior right-hander Chandler Shepherd has been selected in the 13th round of the 2014 MLB Draft, going No. 404 overall, by the Boston Red Sox, it was announced on Saturday afternoon.

A native of Louisa, Ky., Shepherd was drafted for the second time in his career, also going to the Chicago White Sox out of Lawrence County High School in 2011. Shepherd is the fourth Wildcat selected in the 2014 MLB Draft and went just one pick after teammate Max Kuhn was picked up the Oakland Athletics in the 13th round. He joins A.J. Reed (second round; Astros), Austin Cousino (third round; Mariners) and Kuhn as UK draftees through the first 13 rounds.

Shepherd has had a decorated three-year career for the Wildcats, owning a 13-6 mark in 60 games and 19 starts, charting a 3.45 ERA in 188 innings, saving two games, walking 57 and striking out 128. Shepherd opened his UK career in 2012 on the school-record 45-win team, appearing in 18 games with nine starts, owning a 3-1 record and a 3.83 ERA, saving one NCAA Tournament game in 56.1 innings.

As a sophomore, Shepherd served as UK’s go-to reliever, appearing in 26 games with one start, owning a 5-0 record and a 2.77 ERA in 55.1 innings. After an all-star summer in the Cape Cod League, Shepherd – who was also the 2012 Perfect Game Collegiate League Pitcher of the Year – shined early in the UK weekend rotation in 2014. After a forearm laceration handcuffed his junior campaign and forced him out for 21 days, Shepherd returned in a relief role after his injury, also making one start. Shepherd, who opened the year 5-0, finished the year 5-5 with a 3.66 ERA in 16 games and nine starts, hurling a career-best 76.1 innings, striking out 56.

The MLB Draft will continue through the final 40 rounds on Saturday. For complete coverage, visit MLB.com.