Tag: TJ McCants

Chicago White Sox select Alabama OF TJ McCants with No. 469 overall pick in 2024 MLB draft

With the No. 469 overall pick in the 2024 MLB draft, the Chicago White Sox selected Alabama outfielder TJ McCants.

Alabama Crimson Tide outfielder TJ McCants was drafted in the 16th round (No. 469 overall pick) by the Chicago White Sox on Day 3 of the 2024 MLB draft. He was the sixth and final Alabama player chosen in this year’s draft.

McCants began his college career at Ole Miss. The Florida native spent three seasons in Oxford. His career batting average was .261. He hit 22 home runs and drove in 93 runs. In addition, he had 31 stolen bases for the Rebels.

Following his junior season, McCants made the decision to transfer to Alabama. Originally, McCants was recruited by the Alabama coaching staff to play shortstop. However, freshman Justin Lebron showed a lot of promise and ultimately won the starting job at shortstop. As a result, the Crimson Tide chose to permanently move McCants to the outfield.

In one season at Alabama, McCants made 56 starts for the Crimson Tide as an everyday outfielder. He amassed a .306 batting average with 17 home runs and 53 runs batted in. McCants also stole 14 bases.

McCants could return to Tuscaloosa for his fifth and final season. The other options would be for him to enter the transfer portal or sign with the White Sox organization.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding Alabama baseball players in the 2024 MLB draft.

TJ McCants slugs Alabama baseball to 15-7 win at Alabama State

Alabama uses a three home run performance from TJ McCants to power past Alabama State

No. 10 Alabama made the trip to Montgomery on Tuesday night to take on Alabama State for a midweek matchup against the Hornets. The Crimson Tide would come away with a 15-7 win while improving to 18-3 on the season.

The Crimson Tide was led by center fielder [autotag]TJ McCants[/autotag] who recorded a 4-for-4 night that included a double, three home runs, six RBI, four runs scored, and one walk as he reached in all five plate appearances.

Freshman Zane Adams took home the win for the Tide after allowing just one run in three innings pitched.

Following Alabama’s win, head coach [autotag]Rob Vaughn[/autotag] had the following to say about his team’s performance:

“Our bats were okay early, but TJ kind of let us breathe a little bit. Those were some unbelievable at-bats out of him. He drove the baseball and did some big things at the plate. He contributed a bunch of RBI and added some runs up there for us, which was huge. TJ was just phenomenal and we needed that on a night like tonight, just to create a little room for us and get us going.”

Alabama will travel to Athens this weekend to take on the Georiga Bulldogs who were swept by Kentucky last weekend to open SEC play.

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Alabama baseball picks up first win in season-opener against Manhattan

The Alabama baseball team secured its first win of the 2024 season against Manhattan on Friday. The Crimson Tide will return to “The Joe” for Game 2 of the series on Saturday afternoon.

It did not take long for Rob Vaughn to pick up his first win as the head baseball coach at the University of Alabama. On Friday evening, the Crimson Tide defeated Manhattan, 4-0.

Alabama’s productivity on the mound was key in the season-opener. Junior pitcher Ben Hess started for the Crimson Tide and was exceptional in his first outing.

Hess pitched four innings and struck out nine batters. He allowed one hit and walked two.

He was relieved by junior Hagan Banks. The Georgia native worked 2 2/3 innings, allowing one hit and one walk. He struck out five.

Junior pitcher Braylon Myers closed with 2 1/3 innings of scoreless baseball.

Offensively, Alabama was led by newcomers Ian Petrutz and Evan Sleight. the two combined to drive in two runs and go 3-7 at the plate. Junior first baseman Will Hodo also drove in one.

Other players who had hits were TJ McCants (2) and Justin Lebron (1).

Alabama will return to Sewell-Thomas Stadium to take on Manhattan in Game 2 of the series. First pitch for Saturday’s matchup is scheduled for 2 p.m. CST. The game is scheduled to be carried on the SEC Network+.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the latest regarding the Alabama baseball program.

Alabama lands former Freshman All-American, Ole Miss outfielder TJ McCants

Ole Miss outfielder TJ McCants announced that he was transferring to Alabama on Wednesday. McCants spent three seasons in Oxford and was a Freshman All-American in 2021.

Ole Miss transfer TJ McCants announced that he was transferring to Alabama on Wednesday evening.

McCants, a Florida native, spent three seasons with the Rebels. As a freshman, McCants started 56 games. Interestingly enough, McCants made 46 starts in centerfield, eight at second base, one in left field, and one at third base. His versatility is something that Alabama would certainly welcome heading into next season.

He maintained a .300 batting average with five home runs and 35 runs batted in. He stole 11 bases as well. It was quite the freshman campaign for McCants. He was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team and was also selected as a Freshman All-American by D1Baseball.

As a sophomore, McCants was a key contributor during the Rebels’ College World Series run a few seasons ago. He led the team in stolen bases with 10 and was a major factor in the outfield. He made 33 starts in centerfield and 21 starts in right field. McCants finished the season with a .236 batting average with eight home runs and 31 runs batted in.

As a junior, McCants made 38 starts and amassed a .232 batting average to go along with nine home runs and 27 runs batted in. He would finish second on the team in stolen bases with 10.

The addition of McCants will give the Crimson Tide a proven player that can be productive both offensively and defensively. With Alabama center fielder Caden Rose heading to the MLB, McCants figures to be slotted in as the Crimson Tide’s starting center fielder next season. This is a huge addition for Alabama head coach Rob Vaughn and the rest of the coaching staff.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow the Alabama baseball program and its involvement in the transfer portal.

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