Archives > Sports Update
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
Send me an Angel: Yarbrough drafted by, signs with Los Angeles
BY Kevin Hageland, khageland@starlocalnews.com
June 4 and 5 served as the best of times and the worst of times for Ole Miss junior second baseman, and Allen alum, Alex Yarbrough.
Luckily for Yarbrough, the good outweighed the bad as his team's elimination from the postseason was followed less than 24 hours by his selection in the MLB First-Year Player Draft. Yarbrough was taken in the fourth round (No. 147 overall) by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
"It was a little bit of a whirlwind," Yarbrough said.
Yarbrough noted his excitement at the opportunity to play so close to his family, and those family members had plenty to cheer about as the Rebels advanced to the regional finals against TCU. It was the Horned Frogs that won the regional though, posting a 7-4 victory over Ole Miss last Monday.
"It was tough, especially because we were one win away from the Super Regionals," Yarbrough said. "But I think everyone on the team felt like we left it all on the field."
The regional finals coincided with the first day of the draft (first and sandwich round), but Yarbrough was projected as a third- to fifth-round pick, so he was more concerned with Day 2. That commenced last Tuesday, right when Yarbrough and his teammates were getting on a plane and had to turn their phones off.
Yarbrough didn't miss his name being called, with the moment occurring in the fourth round while he was on the team bus.
"We were all watching the draft tracker and our assistant coach at the front of the bus stood up and gave me the thumbs up," Yarbrough said. "About 10 seconds later I got a call from my advisor telling me I had been drafted. I said, "thanks so much, can you tell me who I was drafted by?'"
It was the Angels.
That may seem like a tough destination for a player from Texas, but keep in mind Yarbrough also played for the Plano Yankees growing up and lists New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter as his favorite player.
"Yeah," Yarbrough said with a laugh, "Rangers fans might not like that answer."
Yarbrough pointed out he was pleased to have been taken by the Angels and it's understandable why they would want him.
With Allen, Yarbrough was named the District 8-5A Newcomer of the Year in 2006 and district Defensive MVP in 2008 and 2009 while playing shortstop. Those accolades translated to the collegiate game with Yarbrough starting as a freshman at Ole Miss. Making an eventual move to second base, Yarbrough continued to be productive, starting all 55 games as a sophomore and being named second team all-SEC.
Yarbrough made another step up this past season as a junior.
The 5-foot-11, 185-pounder was named a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award, which is given to the nation's top player, tabbed first team All-America by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper and first team all-SEC. The switch-hitting second baseman led Ole Miss with a .380 batting average while also posting 17 doubles, three triples, three home runs and 43 RBIs.
Baseball America noted that, "Yarbrough has excellent bat control and manipulates the barrel well. He has natural hand-eye coordination and a patient approach."
But for all his offensive accolades, scouts do not appear as enamored with Yarbrough's defense abilities; something he knows.
"I've heard some perceptions about my defense, but I'm not really concerned about it," Yarbrough said. "I've been working on my defense and feel like I played well this season."
The numbers back that up as Yarbrough posted a .989 fielding percentage this season and was named to the SEC's all-defensive team.
The Eagles alum met with his advisor Tuesday in Allen and announced on his Twitter feed that he had inked a deal with the Angels. The 147th pick has a suggested slot signing value of $302,800.
"I'm excited because I've been looking forward to [getting drafted] for a long time," Yarbrough said. "There was a time when I was just hoping to make a college team and hopefully get some playing time. Now, I'm getting another opportunity, and I'm really excited to take that next step."
Johansen selected by Pirates
Dallas Baptist redshirt sophomore Jake Johansen, another Allen alum, was drafted last Wednesday by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 27th round (No. 826).
This is the second time Johansen has been drafted as he was selected in the 45th round by the New York Mets after graduating high school.
The 6-foot-6, 235-pound pitcher has had control issues during his collegiate career, but has electric stuff with a fastball that sits at 93-95 MPH and can touch 97 to pair along with a potentially-plus slider.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: Sports Update «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
