V IDEO: 3 Tide Players, 6 Tigers Drafted from WPMI
The Alabama Crimson Tide had three players taken in the baseball draft Tuesday.
More details about the players are contained in the official press releases below (courtesy of UA):
BASEBALL: Adam Morgan Drafted By Phillies in Third Round
Morgan first Crimson Tide player selected in 2011 MLB First Year Draft
Alabama junior left-handed pitcher Adam Morgan was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies with the 120th pick overall in the third round in the Major League Baseball draft on Tuesday afternoon. Morgan is the first Crimson Tide player to be selected in the 2011 draft.
In three years at Alabama, the Murietta, Ga. native has a 16-14 record in 47 appearances. This season, Morgan posted a 5-7 record with a 4.64 earned run average. He made 16 starts in 2011, throwing 97.0 innings with 77 strikeouts, 26 walks and a .278 opponent’s batting average.
“For any team to take me in the third round as their top three picks, it’s just amazing,” Adam Morgan said. “You work so hard all your life for this opportunity. I’m really excited that the Phillies picked me.”
During his junior campaign, Morgan posted 11 outings of at least 6.0 innings, which included a complete game against Tennessee on April 16. He was the starting pitcher for two of Alabama’s seven shutouts. He threw the first 5.1 innings in an 11-0 win over Alcorn State on Feb. 18 and the first 8.0 innings in a 4-0 win over LSU on May 7.
Additional players from the 2011 Alabama baseball team are expected to be drafted over the next two days. The MLB Draft continues through Wednesday with rounds 2-30 taking place on Tuesday and rounds 31-50 completing the draft on Wednesday. Complete coverage is available on MLB.com.
Taylor Dugas Drafted By Cubs in Eighth Round
Dugas selected with the 249th pick overall
Alabama junior centerfield Taylor Dugas (Lafayette, La.) was selected with the 249th pick overall by Chicago Cubs in the eighth round in the Major League Baseball draft Tuesday afternoon.
In three years at Alabama, the 2010 Baseball America All-American has a career batting average of .365, which is the seventh best in the history of the baseball program. After leading the team with a career-high eight home runs in 2011, Dugas has 12 dingers for his career. Dugas appeared in 186 games with 184 starts over three seasons, appearing in the starting lineup the last 137 consecutive games dating back to the 2009 season.
In 2011, Dugas was a Second Team All-SEC selection and was named to the conference’s all-defensive team after committing just two errors in 175 chances. He led the club in nearly every offensive category, including batting average (.349), hits (84), runs (60), walks (41), home runs (8), triples (4), slugging percentage (.564) and on-base percentage (.455).
Following his junior season, Dugas ranks in the top 10 all-time at Alabama in number of offensive categories. He ranks third in triples (11) and walks (127), is seventh in batting average (.365), doubles (55) and runs scored (189), and eighth all-time with 261 hits.
BASEBALL: Nathan Kilcrease Selected by Oakland in the 30th Round
Kilcrease third Crimson Tide player selected in 2011 MLB Draft
Alabama senior right-handed pitcher Nathan Kilcrease (Phenix City, Ala.) was selected with the 916th pick overall by Oakland A’s in the 30th round in the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft Tuesday evening.
In four years at Alabama, Kilcrease set a school record with 88 appearances and posted a 23-11 overall record and a 3.21 career earned run average. His 23 career victories rank sixth all-time, while his 240 career strikeouts are seventh all-time at the Capstone. Additionally, the 5’6” righty pitched in every role during his time in Tuscaloosa, as he recorded seven saves out of the bullpen and three complete games as a starter.
This season, Kilcrease posted an 8-4 record and lead the team in wins, innings pitched (101.0) and strikeouts (88). He was named the SEC Pitcher of the Week after throwing a complete game five-hitter against No. 2 South Carolina. It was his second complete game of the season. He threw a complete game shutout against Kentucky on March 25.
Kilcrease reached double digits in strikeouts three times during his final season, posting a career-high 10 strikeouts against Northwestern State on March 5, Arkansas on May 25 in the SEC Tournament, and against Central Florida in June 3 in the NCAA Tournament.
Kilcrease was the third player from the 2011 team to be selected on day two of the MLB Draft. Junior lefty Adam Morgan was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the third round (120th overall) and junior centerfield Taylor Dugas was an eighth round (249th overall) selection by the Chicago Cubs.
Additionally, signees Ian Gardeck and William (Justin) Kamplain were selected on Tuesday. Gardeck, a right-handed pitcher who completed his sophomore season at Angelina College in 2011, was picked in the eighth round (261st overall) by the Chicago White Sox. Kamplain, a left-hander who finished his high school career at Walker High School in Alabama earlier this year, was a 22nd round selection (680th overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals.
