The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
UAB Baseball Positional Preview: Infielders/Utility
2/9/2021 3:49:00 PM | Baseball
BIRMINGHAM — With the 2021 baseball season right around the corner, UABSports.com takes an in-depth look this year's roster starting with the infielders and utility players.
#0 | Jake Rivers | Fr. | Birmingham, Ala. | Oak Mountain HS
Rivers joins the Blazers after a career at Oak Mountain High School. He earned 7A Second Team All-State honors during his junior season. During the season Rivers batted .369 and led the team in hits (49).
#2 | John Marc Mullins |So. | Homewood, Ala. | Shelton State CC
Mullins, a transfer from Shelton State Community College, appeared in 56 games for the Bucs while batting .351 during the 2018-19 season.
#5 | Leo Harris | Fr. | Biloxi, Miss. | St. Martin HS
During the shortened 2020 season, Harris appeared in games as a hitter and pitcher. He earned a .400 on-base percentage and two appearances on the mound. In high school, Harris helped his team to the post season his sophomore, junior and senior year, reaching state finals as a senior. Coming out of high school, Harris was ranked the No. 3 shortstop and No. 21 overall player in the state of Mississippi by Perfect Game.
#9 | Blaine Smith | Jr. | Bessemer, Ala. | Northwest Florida State
Smith, a transfer from Northwest Florida State, saw action in 47 games with the Raiders. He finished the 2019 season with 25 hits, five doubles, two triples and two home runs. Smith also picked up 23 RBIs and three stolen bases. He played for the Samford Bulldogs during the 2018 season. During his time with Samford, Smith played in 18 games with 14 starts. In addition, Smith also pitched 1/3 of an inning.
#18 | Ian Ladner | Jr. | Brandon, Miss. | Hinds CC
Ladner is a two-year starter for the Blazers after transferring from Hinds Community College in 2018. In his sophomore campaign, Ladner appeared in 49 games, making 43 starts. He batted .293 with 44 hits, seven doubles, one triple, seven homeruns and 32 RBIs. During the 2020 season, Ladner batted .222 in 12 games.
#21 | Pate Fullerton | So. | Searcy, Ark. | Jefferson CC
Fullerton, currently in his second year with the Blazers, appeared in 15 games last season with a .195 batting average and led the team in walks with 10. While at Jefferson Community College, Fullerton played in 56 games for the Vikings. He batted .311 with 55 hits, 12 doubles, a triple, a homerun and 23 RBIs.
#25 | Chandler Simpson | Fr. | East Point, Ga. | St. Pius X HS
In his freshman campaign with the Blazers, Simpson led the team in stolen bases with eight in 14 games. He batted .256 with 11 hits, one double, seven walks and seven RBIs. While at St. Pius X High School, Simpson earned All-State and All-County honors along with earning a player of the month award. He was ranked the No. 13 shortstop and No. 73 overall player in the state of Georgia by Perfect Game.
#27 | Thomas Johns | R-Jr. | Clay, Ala. | Clay-Chalkville HS
As a three-year starter for the Blazers, Johns is UAB's primary designated hitter. In his freshman season, Johns led the freshmen with 33 starts on the year while batting .241. Last season, Johns was second on the team with a .325 batting average and first with a .550 slugging percentage in 14 games. Coming out of high school, Johns was the top-ranked first baseman and No. 8 overall player in the state of Alabama.
#33 | Thomas Johnston | Gr. | Spanish Fort, Ala. | Spanish Fort HS
Johnston decided to use his last year of eligibility to walk-on to the baseball team after spending the previous three seasons with football. Coming out of high school, Johnston was a four-star recruit and the No. 8 overall player in Alabama for football.
#35 | David Harris | Fr. | Mount Olive, Ala. | Gardendale HS
Harris joins the Blazers from Gardendale High School where he played for former UAB first baseman Ryan Keedy. As a sophomore, Harris batted .381 and scored 27 runs on his way to making the All-State Team as an honorable mention.
BASEBALL AT YOUNG MEMORIAL FIELD
Fans, including Gold Card holders and students, will not be permitted to attend home baseball games played at Young Memorial Field. Attendees will be limited to the player pass list and limited premium spaces.
Fans will be asked to practice social distancing and wear a mask at all times per state and county ordinance.
BASEBALL AT REGIONS FIELD
Regions Field will accommodate fans, including Gold Card holders and students, with social distancing measures in place.
Fans will be asked to practice social distancing and sit in available seats. Masks are required at all times per state and county ordinance.
BASEBALL SINGLE GAME TICKETS
General admission single game tickets will be on sale for games at Regions Field and seats on site are available in groups of up to four (4) seats by clicking here.
#0 | Jake Rivers | Fr. | Birmingham, Ala. | Oak Mountain HS
Rivers joins the Blazers after a career at Oak Mountain High School. He earned 7A Second Team All-State honors during his junior season. During the season Rivers batted .369 and led the team in hits (49).
#2 | John Marc Mullins |So. | Homewood, Ala. | Shelton State CC
Mullins, a transfer from Shelton State Community College, appeared in 56 games for the Bucs while batting .351 during the 2018-19 season.
#5 | Leo Harris | Fr. | Biloxi, Miss. | St. Martin HS
During the shortened 2020 season, Harris appeared in games as a hitter and pitcher. He earned a .400 on-base percentage and two appearances on the mound. In high school, Harris helped his team to the post season his sophomore, junior and senior year, reaching state finals as a senior. Coming out of high school, Harris was ranked the No. 3 shortstop and No. 21 overall player in the state of Mississippi by Perfect Game.
#9 | Blaine Smith | Jr. | Bessemer, Ala. | Northwest Florida State
Smith, a transfer from Northwest Florida State, saw action in 47 games with the Raiders. He finished the 2019 season with 25 hits, five doubles, two triples and two home runs. Smith also picked up 23 RBIs and three stolen bases. He played for the Samford Bulldogs during the 2018 season. During his time with Samford, Smith played in 18 games with 14 starts. In addition, Smith also pitched 1/3 of an inning.
#18 | Ian Ladner | Jr. | Brandon, Miss. | Hinds CC
Ladner is a two-year starter for the Blazers after transferring from Hinds Community College in 2018. In his sophomore campaign, Ladner appeared in 49 games, making 43 starts. He batted .293 with 44 hits, seven doubles, one triple, seven homeruns and 32 RBIs. During the 2020 season, Ladner batted .222 in 12 games.
#21 | Pate Fullerton | So. | Searcy, Ark. | Jefferson CC
Fullerton, currently in his second year with the Blazers, appeared in 15 games last season with a .195 batting average and led the team in walks with 10. While at Jefferson Community College, Fullerton played in 56 games for the Vikings. He batted .311 with 55 hits, 12 doubles, a triple, a homerun and 23 RBIs.
#25 | Chandler Simpson | Fr. | East Point, Ga. | St. Pius X HS
In his freshman campaign with the Blazers, Simpson led the team in stolen bases with eight in 14 games. He batted .256 with 11 hits, one double, seven walks and seven RBIs. While at St. Pius X High School, Simpson earned All-State and All-County honors along with earning a player of the month award. He was ranked the No. 13 shortstop and No. 73 overall player in the state of Georgia by Perfect Game.
#27 | Thomas Johns | R-Jr. | Clay, Ala. | Clay-Chalkville HS
As a three-year starter for the Blazers, Johns is UAB's primary designated hitter. In his freshman season, Johns led the freshmen with 33 starts on the year while batting .241. Last season, Johns was second on the team with a .325 batting average and first with a .550 slugging percentage in 14 games. Coming out of high school, Johns was the top-ranked first baseman and No. 8 overall player in the state of Alabama.
#33 | Thomas Johnston | Gr. | Spanish Fort, Ala. | Spanish Fort HS
Johnston decided to use his last year of eligibility to walk-on to the baseball team after spending the previous three seasons with football. Coming out of high school, Johnston was a four-star recruit and the No. 8 overall player in Alabama for football.
#35 | David Harris | Fr. | Mount Olive, Ala. | Gardendale HS
Harris joins the Blazers from Gardendale High School where he played for former UAB first baseman Ryan Keedy. As a sophomore, Harris batted .381 and scored 27 runs on his way to making the All-State Team as an honorable mention.
BASEBALL AT YOUNG MEMORIAL FIELD
Fans, including Gold Card holders and students, will not be permitted to attend home baseball games played at Young Memorial Field. Attendees will be limited to the player pass list and limited premium spaces.
Fans will be asked to practice social distancing and wear a mask at all times per state and county ordinance.
BASEBALL AT REGIONS FIELD
Regions Field will accommodate fans, including Gold Card holders and students, with social distancing measures in place.
Fans will be asked to practice social distancing and sit in available seats. Masks are required at all times per state and county ordinance.
BASEBALL SINGLE GAME TICKETS
General admission single game tickets will be on sale for games at Regions Field and seats on site are available in groups of up to four (4) seats by clicking here.
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