The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazer Baseball Inks Perry Rigby
11/14/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Nov. 14, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ---- The UAB baseball team announced on Monday that infielder Perry Rigby from Decatur, Ala. signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Blazers in 2013.
Rigby joins Nick Altobella, Adam Lamar and Adam Lau as part of the 2013 baseball signing class for head coach Brian Shoop and his staff.
“With our team graduating two starting infielders it was important to sign a quality infielder,” Shoop said. “Perry Rigby is a strong, physical hitter who is athletic enough to play multiple positions. In a year when there were a lot of high quality position players in our state, Perry was one of the elite players in Alabama. He will one day hit in the middle of our order and he is good enough to do that early in his career.”
As a junior at Way Home Christian School, Rigby showcased his talents hitting .563 in 18 games, clubbing eight doubles, three triples and three homers. The middle infielder also knocked in 24 runs.
During his high school career and summer baseball experience, Rigby has earned numerous accolades and awards. He played in the South Prospect League and been on the East Cobb Braves since the spring of 2012. Twice he has been named a Bobby Valentine All-American, while being named captain of the squad and claiming the top defensive award in 2010. He also earned Under Armour Preseason All-American recognition in 2011.
“Perry played summer baseball for Chad Raley with the prestigious Marucci Elite,” Shoop said. “He also played this fall for the East Cobb Braves and was coached by Jamie Crane who also mentored current Blazers John Frost, Ryan Ussery and Ben Bullard.”
Rigby was invited to play in Perfect Game’s Junior National (2010) and National (2011) showcases. In 2011, Rigby was also named to the Top Prospect Team at the Perfect Game Main Event and a top prospect at the Perfect Game Southeast Underclass Showcase.
At D1 Sports Training, Rigby has worked exclusively with hitting coach Sandy Guerrero and trainer Dallas Terrel.
“Perfect Games has Perry ranked as the 13th-best high school player in the state of Alabama and the 274th best high school player in America,” Shoop said. “This is amazing for a home-schooled athlete. Perry really has a chance to be a special college player and could very well have a professional career after his days at UAB.
“Perry comes from an amazing family and is as special a young man as there is anywhere in the country,” Shoop said. “Our entire college campus will love him. He is really the prototype role model you want to have for children to imitate. He is everything you want your son to be. Of all the infielders we saw this summer, when you put talent and character together, Perry Rigby was the clear choice that we wanted at UAB. He is a great addition to our baseball family.”
