In the 17th round of the 2025 MLB Draft, with the 504th overall pick, the Cincinnati Reds added a promising young catcher to their system Dylan King out of the University of Central Florida (UCF). While his name may not have been called in the early rounds, King’s journey and production this season make him a player worth watching, especially for a team like the Reds that continues to invest in developing talent across all positions.
Dylan King’s road to UCF wasn’t a straight line. He originally began his college baseball career at North Carolina, where he spent two seasons. His first year in Chapel Hill, 2022, was a redshirt season, meaning he didn’t appear in any games as he developed his skills and adapted to the college level. In 2023, he finally saw some game action and made the most of limited opportunities, finishing with a .250 batting average and strong on-base and slugging percentages of .417 and .438, respectively, across just 12 appearances. But with more playing time and a fresh start in Orlando, King found his stride and transformed into a reliable force behind the plate.
After transferring to UCF, King took on the starting catcher role during the 2025 season and quickly became one of the most consistent and impactful players on the Knights’ roster. In just 43 games, he put together an eye-catching stat line batting .326 with a .442 on-base percentage and an impressive .652 slugging percentage. His offensive production included nine home runs, 13 doubles, two triples, 34 RBIs, and 34 runs scored. He didn’t just hit for average he hit with authority and patience, ranking second on the team in both OBP and slugging, which speaks to his ability to both get on base and drive the ball.
On defense, King proved just as valuable. As UCF’s everyday catcher, he recorded 318 putouts and 23 assists with a .977 fielding percentage, demonstrating solid fundamentals and reliable hands behind the plate. He also managed to throw out seven runners attempting to steal, showing that his arm strength and game awareness were tools that could translate well to the pro level.
But King’s success isn’t surprising when you consider his background. Baseball runs in his blood. His father, Brad King, was also drafted ironically, in the same round as Dylan by the Chicago Cubs back in 1996. That family connection likely played a role in Dylan’s development and understanding of the game from a young age. He’s also taken steps beyond college ball to hone his skills, including summer league play with the Purcellville Cannons in the Valley Baseball League an opportunity many rising players use to gain more reps and refine their game against quality competition.
King was one of four UCF players selected on the second day of the MLB Draft, joining teammates Edian Espinal (2B, Tigers – Round 10), Alex Galvan (RHP, Diamondbacks – Round 13), and Angelo Smith (RHP, Angels – Round 19). Combined with Antonio Jimenez being taken in the third round by the Mets, this year marks one of UCF’s most successful drafts in recent memory its best showing since 2018. It’s a testament to the growth of the Knights’ baseball program and the talent it continues to produce.
For the Reds, Dylan King offers a compelling blend of athleticism, leadership, and two-way ability at a position where good talent is always in demand. He may have flown under the radar on draft day, but if his time at UCF is any indication, King is capable of rising quickly and proving he belongs.