The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Taylor Signs NLI to Play Baseball for UAB
11/13/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Nov. 13, 2006
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ----- Austin Taylor of Holmes (Miss.) Community College is the third player to sign a National Letter of Intent (NLI) to play for the UAB baseball team next season, announced by Blazer head coach Brian Shoop on Monday. Taylor, an outfielder from Kosciusko, Miss., was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 49th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft.
"Austin is certainly a fine player being drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals," Shoop said. "He combines speed to defend our big outfield with a line drive swing that should also play well in our park. As well as Austin has played at Holmes Community College, we believe his best days are ahead of him. He has played for one of the outstanding college coaches in Kenny Dupont, so he will be well prepared to play Conference USA baseball."
While at Holmes CC, Taylor hit .340 with 50 RBI and five triples as a freshman, earning him MACJC All-State honors. He was selected to represent his team in the Mississippi Junior College Baseball Showcase for his play serving as a starting outfielder.
"We are losing four outfielders to graduation this year so obviously that was a need for this recruiting class," Shoop said. "We believe Autstin Taylor is a great fit as a player, student and a person."
Taylor played his high school baseball at Kosciusko High School under head coach Kevin Pullen. While there, Taylor led the Whippets to winning three division titles, earning 2004 and 2005 all-division honors in the process.
He hit .358 for his three-year high school career with 10 home runs and 84 RBI. In 2004, he was selected to compete in the State Games of Mississippi.
Taylor's excellence stretches beyond the diamond as he is a member of Phi Theta Kappa Academic Honor Society. He is a business administration/management major at Holmes CC and plans on attending law school.
"As a student, Austin is Phi Theta and carries over a 3.5 college GPA," Shoop said. "He is committed to earning his UAB degree and will excel in the classroom. As a person, Austin is as good as it gets. He has the character and work ethic that every coach looks for. We are very happy that Austin Taylor will be a Blazer next year."
The Blazers will continue to announce their early signees in the next couple of days.
