The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazer Baseball Signs Thomas Johns to NLI
11/17/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - UAB head coach Brian Shoop announced Tuesday that Thomas Johns from Pinson, Ala. has signed a National Letter of Intent to play for the Blazers in 2017.
The versatile 6-foot-2 1B/C has been outstanding in his time playing for Clay-Chalkville High School. Last season Johns was selected to play on the Alabama North-South All-Star Team in addition to being honored as Second Team Underclass All-American.
"Thomas Johns has been a great player in this area for a long time," said Shoop. "He has been a four-year starter at Clay-Chalkville and has dominated the competition since his freshman year. A left-handed power bat, we believe Thomas is one of the premier, if not the best left-handed power hitters in Alabama. Perfect Game has agreed, ranking Thomas as the number one 1B prospect in Alabama and as the 20th ranked 1B prospect nationally."
During his sophomore season, Johns hit .417 with three home runs and 29 RBI's and was selected as the 2015 CCHS Hitter of the Year. He was limited to only nine games in 2015 due to a broken hamate hook in his right hand.
Johns has had the opportunity to play with some of the top traveling teams in the area such as the East Cobb Astros, GCBD Pro-elite and the Suncoast Select. He was selected to the 2015 Perfect National Showcase Top Prospect Team as well the 2015 Perfect Game 18U National Championship All-Tournament Team.
"Thomas has played many positions over the years and we plan to move him back behind that plate with thoughts that may be his best ticket to professional baseball," Shoop said. "With that said, his flexibility to play a lot of positions will help us find ways to get his powerful bat into the lineup as we project him as a middle of the order hitter for years to come. He has not only excelled for Clay Chalkville High School, he has also excelled in summer travel ball playing for Jamie Crane and the prestigious East Coast Astros, as well as Fall baseball for Travis Coleman of GCBD Elite. Thomas has received tremendous coaching and the experience of competing in high level baseball throughout the southeast."
Johns has been characterized not only as a top prospect in the area, but someone who has shown the ability to lead on and off the field, fitting perfectly in the mold of the UAB baseball program.
"While his numbers and baseball awards are staggering, we also know Thomas is a great young man as evidenced by his winning the Clay-Chalkville Cougar Character award last year," Shoop added. "He is a great worker who will flourish in our blue-collar approach to the game. I know our fans will not only love his baseball production, but also his contagious personality. We are thrilled to add Thomas to our Blazer Baseball Family."
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