Georgia Baseball: Powell and Boling Selected in MLB Draft Saturday
By Danny Bishop
Curt Powell, Photo by Sonny Kennedy, http://www.sonnykennedyphotography.com/
Georgia senior infielder Curt Powell was selected in the 21st round by Detroit while Bulldog junior pitcher Patrick Boling was taken in the 32nd round by Washington in the Major League Baseball draft Saturday.
Powell, who earned All-Southeastern Conference honors the past two years as a third baseman, was drafted as a shortstop by the Tigers. A three-year letterman, the 5-11, 179-pound native of Knoxville, Tenn., appeared in 169 games including 163 starts in his Bulldog career. He posted a .341 average with 25 doubles, two triples, three home runs, 54 RBI and was 22-for-32 in stolen base attempts. In 477 total chances, he registered a .931 fielding percentage.
In 2013, Powell was tabbed Georgia’s Most Valuable Player after batting a team-best .376 with 82 hits and that ranked among the SEC leaders at the end of the regular season.
“I’ve always wanted to play professional baseball, and it’s a dream come true now to have that opportunity,” said Powell. “It’s what I’ve been working for over the years, and I’m now I’m looking forward to it. The Tigers kept in touch with me the last few days and told me they were hoping to get me on Saturday, and they wanted me to play shortstop.”
Patrick Boling, Photo by Sonny Kennedy, http://www.sonnykennedyphotography.com/
Boling, a 6-2, 210-pound redshirt junior left-hander, led the Bulldogs with 82 innings pitched and 81 strikeouts in 2013. He posted a 3-7 mark and 4.17 ERA in 21 games including 11 starts. In his career, the native of Cartersville, Ga., is 4-9 with a 4.72 ERA in 46 appearances including 14 starts. He has pitched 110.2 innings with 63 walks and 116 strikeouts.
Powell and Boling were the final two Bulldogs to be drafted this year after senior shortstop Kyle Farmer was taken in the eighth round Friday by the Los Angeles Dodgers as a catcher. Powell is the first Bulldog to be selected by the Tigers since 1995 when pitcher Brian Powell went in the second round and eventually made it to the Major Leagues in 1998. Boling is the first Bulldog drafted by the Nationals since outfielder Peter Verdin went in the 39th round in 2011.
Also Saturday, five Bulldog signees were drafted. Jarrett Freeland was selected in the 15th round by the Cincinnati Reds as a catcher. Freeland, a 6-6, 210-pound Lilburn native who attended Parkview High School, saw action as a catcher/infielder/pitcher during his prep career. In the 28th round, pitcher Robert Tyler (Baltimore) and outfielder Stephen Wrenn (Atlanta) were drafted. Tyler is a 6-4, 195-pound right-hander from Cordele who played at Crisp County High School while Wrenn is a 6-2, 175-pound native of Marietta and played at Walton High School. In the 31st round, Colorado drafted shortstop Wesley Jones, a 6-2, 185-pound native of Lithonia who played at Redan High School. In the 37th round, Miami selected shortstop Michael Bell, a 5-11, 180-pound native of Union City who played at Langston Hughes High School.
A total of seven Bulldog signees were drafted this year. On Thursday, Clint Frazier was the fifth overall selection in the 1st round by Cleveland while pitcher Blake Shouse (Middle Georgia) went in the 5th round to Colorado on Friday. Teams have until July 12 at 5 p.m. to sign their draft picks, and the deadline does not apply to college seniors.