The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Former Blazers Continuing Careers In Professional Baseball
7/5/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
July 5, 2011
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Former UAB baseball players Jamal Austin and Ryan Woolley, each selected in last month's Major League Baseball draft, have signed contracts and begun their professional careers in the minor leagues.
Austin, a 13th round pick of the Seattle Mariners, was assigned to the Pulaski (Va.) Mariners of the Rookie Appalachian League. Through 12 games, the speedy outfielder is hitting .341 with eight runs scored, five RBI and six stolen bases in seven attempts.
Woolley, taken by the Detroit Tigers also in the 13th round, is pitching for the Connecticut Tigers of the Class A Short-Season New York-Penn League. He has pitched eight innings over four relief appearances with a 4.50 ERA and seven strikeouts.
Austin was a first-team All-Conference USA performer this past spring after hitting .351 as a junior at UAB, while Woolley was a second-team selection after logging a 3.06 ERA in 106 innings, the most by a Blazer pitcher since 1994.
Two Blazers drafted last summer are also continuing their professional careers. Nick Graffeo owns a 1.64 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 11 innings over four relief appearances for the Burlington (N.C.) Royals of the Appalachian League. First baseman Luke Stewart, meanwhile, has seen action in 16 games with five RBI for the Brooklyn Cyclones of the New York-Penn League.
Graffeo ranks second all-time on UAB's career saves list, while Stewart finished his career tied for first on the Blazers' career home runs list.
Jonathan Merritt, a fellow member of UAB's 2010 senior class, is sitting out this season as he rehabs from injury. He spent last season with the Greeneville Astros of the Appalachian League. Merritt is the UAB career leader in runs scored.
