Former Tide Players Make Pro Debuts
6/23/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
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Three members of the 2005 University of Alabama baseball team are set to make their professional debut this week.
Senior left-hander Brent Carter, a 19th round draft pick by the San Diego Padres, signed with the Padres on June 13 and has been assigned to the Eugene (Oregon) Emeralds in the short-season Northwest League.
The Emeralds opened their season on Tuesday night and Carter is expected to make his debut as the starter on Thursday when the Emeralds host the Spokane Indians in the third-game of a four-game series.
"It has been fun so far," Carter said from Eugene on Wednesday. "This is an O.K. little town. We have all gone a bought bicycles to ride back and forth to the games. The place we live is about two miles from the stadium, so you either take a cab or ride a bike."
Carter is one of five Southeastern Conference players on the Emeralds team this summer, joining former Tennessee players Josh Alley and Chase Headley and former Auburn players Arnold Hughey and Jon Madden.
Junior right hander Trey Shields, a ninth-round draft pick, signed with the Oakland Athletics on June 11 and has been assigned to the Vancouver (British Columbia) Canadians in the short-season Northwest League.
The Canadians opened the season in Yakima, Wash., and Shields is not expected to see action on the mound until the team opens at home next week.
"I like it here a lot," Shields said on Wednesday from Yakima. "It's a lot different than the South. It is also a lot cooler here, no humidity. I like the set-up here, too."
Senior outfielder Morrow Thomley, a native of Tuscaloosa, was not drafted in the 2005 Major League Draft, but has signed a free agent contract with the Chicago Cubs. Thomley opened his pro career on Wednesday with the Cubs in the Arizona Rookie League in Mesa, Arizona.
"I am happy this is rookie ball and its like 130 degrees everyday," Thomley said from Mesa, Arizona on Wednesday afternoon. "This has to be the hottest place in the country, its like being in the middle of the desert. I thought Alabama was hot, but its nothing like here. I have a greater appreciation for home now."
Thomley played in 60 games for Alabama this season and batted .305 (65-for-213) with five home runs and 36 RBI. He also scored 36 runs and added 14 doubles. He will not be able to use those skills during his stay in Mesa as the Cubs signed him as a pitcher and not a hitter.
"I wish they would let me hit first and if that did not work, let me pitch," Thomley said. (Bob Rossi) signed me and liked me when I pitched in junior college. Right now it's kind of awkward and I am playing long toss everyday. I am trying to get my arm in shape and see what happens depending on how well I do here. They make my best chance is as a pitcher.
"I hope to only be here a few weeks and then move on to Boise (Idaho) in the Northwest League. If I were hitting, I would be, but I have not pitched in two years, so I hope it goes well."
In his short stay in Mesa, Thomley has already had a taste of the big leagues.
"The other day I was at my locker after a workout and when I looked up there was (Cubs shortstop) Nomar (Garciaparra). He was here on a rehab assignment. They told me a lot of the big league guys come here when they are hut and work out with us. That was pretty cool."
