The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Blazers Haul in Ian McWilliams
11/18/2016 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The UAB baseball team adds another out-of-state recruit in Ian McWilliams to its signing class. Right-handed pitcher Ian McWilliams (Hendersonville, Tenn./Beech) comes to the Blazers from the Volunteer State.
“We could not be more excited to announce that Ian McWilliams will be joining our baseball program and pitching staff next fall,” said UAB head coach Brian Shoop. “Coach Hopper has been following Ian for years and has always hoped that he would eventually become a Blazer. Ian reminds us a lot of former Blazer standout James Naile with his sinking fastball and great feel for a breaking ball. We believe Ian can have the same success as James, who earned first team all-conference honors at UAB and was drafted by the Oakland Athletics after his junior year.”
McWilliams has pitched well at the high school level and will only get better in the future. He posted a 4-2 record last season with a 2.13 ERA and has struckout 102 batters over the last two years. McWilliams is a four-year letterwinner and has also stood out over summer league play.
“Ian has been a standout for Coach Jimmy Neal at Beech High School and has also had a tremendous summer career playing for Coach Shawn Smith (Alabama Vipers), Rick Haynie (The Legends) and Shannon Snyder (Game On). All of these outstanding coaches have been a big influence in Ian’s life and we are thankful for how well he has been prepared for Division I baseball.”
McWilliams older brother, Sam, is a highly-regarded pro prospect for the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 21-year old was an eighth-round pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2014 MLB Draft and is now ranked the 26th-best prospect in the Diamondbacks system. Additionally, his younger brother Zack pitched recently for Team Tennessee in the Little League World Series.
“Ian comes from a family of successful pitchers,” said Shoop. “Pro scouts consider Ian one of the best arms in Tennessee and we fully believe Ian will launch his professional career after his successful Blazer career.”
For more information on the UAB baseball team, follow the Blazers on Twitter (@UAB_Baseball). For more on all Blazer sports teams follow the official social media accounts of UAB Athletics on Twitter (@UABAthletics), on Facebook (Facebook.com/UAB.Blazers), on Instagram (@uabathletics) or on Snapchat (@uabathletics).
