First-rounder Dozier joins Legends

The Kansas City Royals' first-round pick in the 2013 draft, infielder Hunter Dozier, will join the Lexington Legends Tuesday when the Legends open a series in Charleston, South Carolina. The Royals announced Monday that Dozier would transfer to Lexington from Idaho Falls of the Pioneer League.

Dozier, 21, who played shortstop at Stephen F. Austin University, was the eighth overall pick in the June draft. He has been playing primarily at third base for Idaho Falls, where he was batting .293 in 47 games with 22 doubles, six home runs and 35 runs batted in.

Dozier batted .396 with 17 home runs and 52 RBI in his final season at Stephen F. Austin. He led the Southland Conference in batting average, slugging percentage (.755), doubles (25) and home runs, earning Louisville Slugger First Team All-America honors. He was a two-time All-Southland Conference selection, becoming the first shortstop in school history to earn that distinction. He was an All-South Central Region selection last year, when he hit .357 with 22 doubles, 10 homers and 37 RBI.

"It's exciting news that the Royals are assigning this year's first-round pick to the Legends ," said Legends General Manager Seth Poteat. "The Legends are involved in a very tight race right now, and we're looking forward to seeing Hunter Dozier in a Legends uniform."

The Legends lead Augusta by one-half game in the South Atlantic League Southern Division standings with 20 games left in their season. They will play a three-game series in Charleston, followed by four games in Greenville. The Legends return to Lexington August 20 to begin a six-game homestand that will include a three-game series against Augusta.