Dickerson leaves IU, signs with Pittsburgh Pirates

Outfielder Alex Dickerson, the former Big Ten Player of the Year for IU, signed a professional baseball contract July 15 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, officially foregoing his senior season with the Hoosiers.

Dickerson was a third-round selection, 91st overall, of the Pirates after playing three seasons for IU.

He had previously been drafted after high school by the Washington Nationals in the 48th round, but did not sign.

The Poway, Calif. native was Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2009 after playing as a designated hitter. He hit .370 that season with 14 home runs and 57 runs batted in.

The next season, playing in the outfield, he improved. He was a unanimous choice for Big Ten Player of the Year as well as a First Team All-American after hitting for the conference Triple Crown by leading the Big Ten in batting average with .419, home runs with 24 and RBI with 75.

Despite playing only three seasons at IU, Dickerson ranks highly in several categories in the IU record books, including a tie for first in career home runs with 47 and fourth for slugging percentage with .657.

Dickerson is likely to be converted to first base with the Pirates, but is still currently listed as an outfielder.

He was assigned to the short season Single-A State College Spikes. In his debut for the Spikes on July 16, Dickerson was one for four with a double against the Staten Island Yankees.