Spencer Pennington, T.J. Large Taken in MLB Draft
6/8/2005 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
 T.J. Large |
Large was taken in the 48th round by the Red Sox, marking the second straight year an Alabama pitcher was taken in the draft by the defending World Series champion. Large has now been drafted three times in his career. He was taken in the ninth round by the San Francisco Giants in 2001 and in the 32nd round by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2002.
"I am excited," Large said. "There are a lot of people that play baseball and do not get drafted. I am fine with (the selection) and I am glad I got picked."
Large said he plans to take a week off and then report to the Sanford (Fla.) River Rats in the Florida Collegiate League, less than one hour from his home in Seminole.
"I am going to play summer ball and I am sure they will follow me," Large said. "If any of their top (draft picks) do not sign, then we can see what kind of money they have left. I am keeping all options open and will talk to my family and see how things work out."
Large made 17 starts at Alabama this season and posted a 7-4 record and 3.46 ERA. He worked 96 1/3 innings and allowed 72 hits, 50 runs and 37 earned runs, with 50 walks and 92 strikeouts. The 17 starts rank as the sixth most in school history. Large also hit a school record 22 batters this season.
In his two-year career, Large posted an 8-4 record and 3.41 ERA in 21 games, including 17 starts. He worked 100 1/3 career inning and added 99 strikeouts.
The Crimson Tide also had four more signees drafted in the second day of the MLB draft, including Miers Quigley (LHP, 6-4, 195, Roswell, Ga.) the 590th overall pick (19th round); Shane Garceau (RHP, 6-0, 180, Royal Palm Gardens HS) the 620th pick (20th round); Jake McCarter (OF/RHP, 6-1, 185, Navarro College) the 1,164th overall pick (39th round) and Josh Styes (RHP, 6-3, 190, Clay Chalkville HS) the 1,275th pick (42nd round).
Former Alabama infielder Mark Haske, who played the 2005 season at Cincinnati, was the 690th overall pick (23rd) in this year's draft.
ALABAMA PLAYERS AND SIGNEES IN THE 2005 MLB DRAFT
Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Round Pick Team
Shane Funk RHP 6-6 235 4th 129 Texas Rangers
Kyle Cofield RHP 6-5 190 8th 257 Atlanta Braves
Trey Shields RHP 6-7 235 9th 281 Oakland Athletics
Brent Carter LHP 6-3 195 16th 488 San Diego Padres
Jaye Chapman RHP 6-0 180 16th 497 Atlanta Braves
*Desmond Jennings OF 6-2 180 18th 544 Cleveland Indians
Miers Quigley LHP 6-6 195 19th 590 St. Louis Cardinals
Shane Garceau RHP 6-0 180 20th 620 St. Louis Cardinals
Spencer Pennington OF 6-4 225 32nd 955 Milwaukee Brewers
Jake McCarter P/OF 6-1 185 39th 1164 Washington Nationals
Josh Styes RHP 6-3 190 42nd 1275 New York Yankees
T.J. Large RHP 6-4 210 46th 1390 Boston Red Sox
*Football signee
