Head Coach Jim Wells- University of Alabama
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama baseball announced the signing of 11 student-athletes in the Nov. 12-19, 2009 early signing period, Crimson Tide head coach Jim Wells announced today. The signing class will enroll at UA in August, 2009 and first compete for the Tide during the 2010 season.
The Tide added nine high school signees and two junior college standouts. The high school list, which features four from the state of Alabama includes: Brett Booth, Danny Collins, Kevin Gifford, Tucker Hawley, Andrew Miller, Trey Pilkington, Matt Taylor, Adam Windsor and Taylor Wolfe. The two junior college transfers are Jason Townsend and Brett Whitaker.
All nine high school players are rated in the Top 500 by Perfect Game Crosschecker, which is the national rating system for prep all-stars.
“We have added a quality recruiting class, with some outstanding and talented players,” Alabama head coach Jim Wells said. “(Assistant coaches) Mitch (Gaspard) and Dax (Norris) worked really hard and did an outstanding job in signing this group. I think they are all excellent players that can help us continue the success of our program.”
Booth, Miller and Pilkington all played with each another at the 2008 East Coast Professional Showcase in Lakeland, Fla. Hawley, Gifford and Taylor all played on the same summer league, The Chain, this past summer in Georgia.
Booth (C, 5-10, 190) is a standout football and baseball player at Tuscaloosa County High School. A two-year starter at catcher for coach Chad Shannon, Booth was team MVP and Offensive Player of the Year in 2008. He was also named to the Alabama Sports Writers Association (ASWA) 2008 All-State team. He was invited to the 2008 East Coast Professional Showcase in Lakeland, Fla. A three-year starter at quarterback, Booth led the Wildcats to back-to-back undefeated regular seasons in 2007 and 2008. He led the Wildcats to a 22-2 record in his final two seasons and three straight Region Championships.
Collins (INF, 6-2, 180) has started the last two seasons at Niceville (Fla.) High School. During his sophomore season (2007), he was a teammate of Alabama right-hander Jimmy Nelson. He was an All-County selection following his junior season when he batted .420 with five home runs and 27 RBI. He also had 40 runs scored and compiled a .504 on-base percentage and .630 slugging mark. Collins participated in the 2006 and 2007 National Underclass Showcase, as well as the 2007 Southeast Underclass Showcase. He was invited to play in the 2008 17-and-under Crosschecker National Championships and 2008 BCS Finals.
Gifford (INF/RHP, 5-9, 180) is a two-way star at Northside High School in Warner-Robbins, Ga, where he plays for Coach Kevin Kinsler. Gifford batted .536 with four home runs, 27 walks and scored 43 runs as a prep junior. He was named to the Georgia Top 100 in 2007 and 2008. He is a three-time All-Houston County selection (2006, 2007 and 2008). Gifford has tons of showcase experience, participating in the Perfect Game Crosschecker 2007 16-and-under National Championship, 2007 National Underclass Championship, 2008 18-and-under National Championship and the 2008 WWBA World Championship. He played this summer for Chain Baseball, along with current signees Hawley and Taylor.
Hawley (RHP, 6-2, 210) is a senior at South Aiken (S.C.) High School. He has attended numerous showcases, including 2008 WWBA World Championship, 2008 WWBA 18-and-under National Championship, 2007 WWBA World Championship, 2007 WWBA 17-and-under World Championship and 2006 WWBA 16-and-under World Championship. His father, Bill, was taken in the first-round (23rd overall pick) of the 1981 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds.
Miller (OF, 6-1, 190) is a senior and two-sport star at St. Paul’s High School in Mobile. He is a three-year starter and two-time ASWA Honorable Mention All-State performer for Coach Shane Sullivan. In his three-year career, Miller is batting .431 (113-for-262) with 20 extra base hits, 87 stolen bases and 94 runs scored. On the mound, he has 30 career wins for St. Paul’s HS. Miller has not missed a game in his prep career and has 99 games played entering his senior season. As a junior, he hit .430 (37-for-86) with 25 runs scored, two home runs and 25 RBI. He added 24 stole bases in 26 attempts. He was selected to play in the 2008 Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) North-South All-Star Game in Huntsville. Miler participated in the 2008 Perfect Game National Showcase and 2008 WWBA 17-and-under National Championships. A standout receiver on the St. Paul’s football team, Miller was a member of the 2007 Class 5A state championship team that defeated Briarwood Christian, 14-13, at Legion Field. He played on the same high school team at current UA football players Mark Barron and Ivan Matchett and 2008 UA signee, Destin Hood, who signed with the Washington Nationals.
Pilkington (RHP, 6-2, 205) is a right-hand pitcher from Oxford (Ala.) High School. He plays for Coach Wes Brooks. He was a 2008 All-Calhoun County selection and was named the 2008 Calhoun County All-Tournament Team. Pilkington posted a 6-3 record and 2.33 ERA for the Yellow Jackets as a junior with one shutout. He had 55 strikeouts in 57 innings on the mound. Pilkington was named to the 2008 Alabama North-South All-Star Game in Huntsville. He also attended the 2007 Southeast Underclass Showcase and 2008 WWBA 17-and-under Championships. He was also invited to the 2008 East Coast Professional Showcase in Lakeland, Fla. Pilkington played this past summer for the Excel Blue Wave.
Taylor (LHP, 6-0, 170) is one of two standout left-handers from Columbus (Ga.) High School to ink with the Tide during the early signing period. He also plays centerfield for Coach Bobby Howard. Taylor brings ton of showcase experience to the Capstone having participated in the 2008 WWBA World Championship, the 2008 WWBA 17-and-under National Championship, the 2007 WWBA 16-and under National Championship, the 2007 BCS 16-and-under Finals, the 2006 Southside Atlanta State Showcase and the 2006 WWBA 15-and-under National Championship.
Townsend (RHP, 6-3, 190) is currently a sophomore at Chipola Junior College, where he plays for Jeff Johnson. He posted a 7-3 record and 4.57 ERA in 17 starts on the mound last season with two complete games. Prior to signing with Chipola JC, Townsend was a two-time All-State and three-time All-Region pitcher at Sherwood Christian Academy in Albany, Ga. He was the 2007 Region III Player of the Year.
Windsor (LHP, 5-9, 160) is a senior left-handed pitcher at Clay-Chalkville High School in Pinson, Ala., where he has compiled a 14-6 (.700) career record on the mound. He was 7-3 with a 2.10 ERA as a junior in 2008 with 80 strikeouts in 56 innings on the mound. He was 4-3 as a prep sophomore (2007) and 3-0 as a freshman (2006), which included a win over Baker High School in Class 5A state championship game. Windsor has participated in numerous baseball showcases including 2008 Triple Crown Tournament, 2008 Nashville Showcase, 2008 Perfect Game BCS Regional and 2008 WWBA World Series. Windsor played this past summer for the Excel Blue Wave.
Whitaker (RHP, 6-1, 190) is presently a sophomore at Shelton State Community College, where he plays for Coach Bobby Sprowl. As a freshman, he helped the Bucs to a runner-up finish at the 2008 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) World Series in Grand Junction, Colo. He also helped Shelton State to its second straight Alabama Junior College State Championship and Region XXII title. Whitaker was 4-3 with four saves and a 5.01 ERA last season. He was fifth in the state with five saves. In 26 games, he worked 46 2/3 innings and allowed 44 hits, 31 runs and 26 earned runs with 26 walks and 23 strikeouts. Whitaker also batted .333 (63-of-189) with seven home runs and 43 RBI in 63 games. He had a season-high five RBIs in a win over Birmingham Southern on April 1, 2008.
Wolfe (LHP, 6-0, 177) is a left-handed pitcher from Columbus (Ga.) High School playing for Coach Bobby Howard. He is one of two standout southpaws from Columbus (Ga,) High to sign with the Crimson Tide during the early signing period. He played this summer for the Homeplate Chilidogs. Wolfe participated in the 2008 17-and-under BCS Finals, the 2008 WWBA 17-and-under National Championship and the 2007 16-and-under BCS Finals at the Perfect Game Showcase.
2009-10 Alabama Baseball Signees
Name Pos. B-T Ht. Wt. Hometown (School)
Brett Booth C R-R 5-10 190 Northport, Ala. (Tuscaloosa County HS)
Danny Collins INF INF 6-2 180 Niceville, Fla. (Niceville HS)
Kevin Gifford INF/P R-R 5-9 180 Warner Robbins, Ga. (Northside HS)
Tucker Hawley RHP R-R 6-2 210 Aiken, S.C. (South Aiken HS)
Andrew Miller OF L-L 6-1 190 Citronelle, Ala. (St. Paul’s HS)
Trey Pilkington RHP R-R 6-2 205 Anniston, Ala (Oxford HS)
Matt Taylor LHP L-L 6-0 170 Midland, Ga. (Columbus, Ga.)
Jason Townsend RHP R-R 6-3 190 Albany, Ga. (Chipola JC)
Adam Windsor LHP L-L 5-9 160 Pinson, Ala. (Clay-Chalkville HS)
Brett Whitaker RHP R-R 6-1 190 Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Shelton State CC)
Taylor Wolfe LHP L-L 6-2 176 Fortson, Ga. (Columbus HS)
