The South Siders select their first catcher of this year’s draft
The White Sox drafted catcher Colby Smelley in the 13th round. Smelley is the first position player the South Siders have drafted since Wes Kath, who they selected way back in the second round.
Smelley, 21, attended Shelton State Community College (Alabama), where he put up some super-sized numbers at the plate. This season, in 179 at-bats, Smelley slashed .436/.536/.687, and his walk rate indicates that he is either a patient hitter and/or someone opposing pitchers did not want to mess with. It is likely a combination of the two. Smelley’s outstanding season resulted in him being named Honorable Mention All-American.
Smelley stands at 6´2´´ and is listed at 195 pounds. He is from Tuscaloosa, Ala., and the White Sox have had success drafting players from there lately. Smelley also attended the same high school as All-Star Tim Anderson.
Smelley had committed to transfer to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, although that simply could have been his backup plan if he went undrafted.
It will be interesting to see how Smelley’s plate discipline and power that he displayed at Shelton State convert to minor league play. If Smelley manages to stick at catcher, then he will be an interesting prospect moving forward. Congratulations to Smelley on getting drafted.
