The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Ryan Woolley Drafted In Sixth Round By Atlanta Braves
6/10/2009 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
June 10, 2009
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- UAB baseball player Ryan Woolley was selected Wednesday by the Atlanta Braves in the sixth round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. A right-handed pitcher from Montclair, Va., Woolley was taken with the 178th overall pick.
Despite not pitching in 2009, Woolley becomes the second-highest draft pick in the history of the Blazer baseball program. Chris Hammond was also selected in the sixth round but was taken 30 spots higher with the 148th overall pick by the Cincinnati Reds in 1986.
Woolley sat out the 2009 season due to NCAA transfer rules after joining the Blazers from the University of Georgia, where he appeared in 22 games over his freshman and sophomore seasons. He has not appeared in a game at UAB.
Woolley has two years of college eligibility remaining and now has the option to sign with the Braves or to return to school at UAB. In addition to his baseball ability, he also succeeded in the classroom, posting a 4.0 GPA in the fall semester and a 3.57 mark in the spring.
The draft began on Tuesday night, and 30 rounds are complete after Wednesday's selections. The final 20 rounds of the draft are scheduled for Thursday, beginning at 10:30 a.m. (CT).
