The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Renaldo Jenkins Signs Letter Of Intent With Blazer Baseball
11/15/2010 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Nov. 15, 2010
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- The UAB baseball program has announced the signing of Fayetteville, Ga., infielder Renaldo Jenkins to a National Letter of Intent.
Jenkins is entering his senior season this coming spring at Whitewater High School, where he has been a three-sport athlete.
Earlier this year, he was selected by the Baseball Factory player development program as the top prospect at its Greenville, S.C., Under Armour Tryout Event. He was also clocked at 6.70 seconds in the 60-yard dash at a Baseball Factory event in March.
"On the diamond, Renaldo plays a style that will fit well with the way we like to play at UAB," Blazer head coach Brian Shoop said. "He is a very good runner, a solid defender in the infield, likes the short game and will be a strong gap-to-gap hitter -- all things that are a part of the way we play here. We believe that when he concentrates on baseball alone, the sky is the limit."
Jenkins competed in the 2010 World Wood Bat Association Championship with his travel team, the Homeplate Chilidogs. He has played summer baseball alongside current UAB freshman Aaron Warren.
In 73 games combined over the summer and fall, Jenkins posted a .515 on-base percentage, scored 84 runs and stole 48 bases. He also smacked 22 doubles, seven triples and drove in 67 runs. Defensively, he logged a .982 fielding percentage.
"Renaldo has played for a premier summer program and has played against the best competition in the Southeast, so he will not be overwhelmed with the transition to college baseball," Shoop said.
On the football field, Jenkins has served as Whitewater's quarterback. He did not lose a game as a starter his junior year in 2009 and has his team alive in the Georgia Class AAAA playoffs this fall after defeating the state's top-ranked team last Friday.
He also started for two years on Whitewater's varsity basketball team, leading the squad in scoring as a sophomore before he gave up the sport to focus on baseball and football.
A well-rounded student, Jenkins has been on the honor roll every year of his high school career. He is also a member of the Beta Club and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
"Ra Ra, as he is affectionately known, comes from a great family and is another outstanding fit as a young man," Shoop said. "He has an infectious personality, and everyone will love having him in our program. I know the coaches are thrilled he has chosen UAB."
Jenkins will enroll at UAB for the 2011-12 academic year and be eligible to compete for the Blazers in the 2012 baseball season.
