MOBILE, Ala. – University of South Alabama baseball catcher Brent Tanner was selected in the 32nd round (981st overall) of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft Wednesday by the Chicago White Sox.

Tanner, a Lucedale, Miss., native, was the only Jaguar taken in this year’s draft. He led South Alabama with a .342 batting average, 10 home runs, 55 RBI, and 123 total bases this season while also leading the Jags with a .539 slugging percentage. As a senior, Tanner was named second-team all-Sun Belt Conference as a catcher.

“It feels great to have the opportunity to keep playing,” Tanner said. “I’ve been looking forward to this my whole life. There’s not a better feeling. They (White Sox) told me they are going to swap me around in the field, but will probably start me out at catcher,” Tanner added. “I just want to bring good power numbers, on-base percentage and a good average to the team.”

He finished his two-year career at South Alabama with a .322 batting average, 32 doubles, 17 home runs and 97 RBI. His 32 doubles in two seasons is tied with former Jaguar David Freese for 17th on the career list at USA.

“I’m thrilled for Brent,” South Alabama head coach Mark Calvi said. “He did an outstanding job with the pitching staff this year in my absence. Brent was like another coach on the field. He called every game this year, and worked to the pitchers’ strengths. He was prepared and never got riled up back there.

“The pitchers were confident in his decision-making abilities, and his ability to block balls and throw runners out. He was outstanding. He was the heart of our lineup – he drove in runs and was our biggest threat offensively. He was a leader both on and off the field. I can’t say enough about how happy I am that he has this opportunity to further his career in professional baseball.”

South Alabama has had at least one student-athlete sign a professional contract with a MLB organization every year since 1971.

“I’m extremely excited for Brent,” former South Alabama head coach Steve Kittrell said. “I think he is well-deserved. It is an exciting day for him. He has tremendous power, and he improved quite a bit behind the plate with his blocking and receiving skills.

“Warren Hughes, one of our former players, with the White Sox drafted him and he liked his versatility – the fact that he can play first base as well as some outfield and I think it was a great move by the White Sox. Brent was one of our leaders in hitting both years he was at South Alabama, and did a very good job for us. I’m excited for him, and I know he’s excited to get that opportunity in a White Sox uniform.”

For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com.  Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).

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