Add to the ever-growing list of Lee baseball players who have either been selected in the Major League Draft or have signed free agent contracts with big league organizations.
Junior right-handed pitcher Justin Alleman was chosen in the 20th round by the San Francisco Giants and senior Trenton Hill, a versatile pitcher and outfielder, went to the Florida Marlins in the 34th round in the annual draft that wrapped-up this past weekend.
"With Justin and Trent being drafted, our program has had 16 players drafted over the last six years,” commented Lee head coach Mark Brew.
“Additionally, we have had 29 players get drafted or sign free agent contracts with MLB teams over the last 10 years.
“I would like to praise the effort of coach (Justin) Dedman, who leads our recruiting and Coach (Richie) Goodenow, who was the position coach for both Justin and Trent. I am fortunate to have such a great staff. I'm really proud of our recruiting efforts and player development in our program. I think these professional opportunities for players reflect that."
Alleman is a transfer from Michigan State University. He pitched in a team-high 64.2 innings this past season, posting a 6-5 record and a 5.29 earned run averaged. It was his mid-90 fastball that gained the attention of big league scouts. He averaged well over a strikeout per inning (74) and walked just 13 hitters.
"Though nothing has been determined yet as far as a role, Alleman has great make-up to be a back end of bullpen 7th-9th inning guy,” noted Brew. “His fastball velocity can be as high as 97 MPH and he can showcase an excellent breaking ball to go with it. His change-up is much improved as well. He came to Lee to gain this opportunity and we are excited it worked out for him in the Giants organization."
Hill is one if not the most versatile athletes to play for head coach Brew. A native of Bentonville, Ark. Hill transferred to Lee after a two-year career at Maple Woods Community College.
He played in all 48 games this past season, either as a pitcher, outfielder of designated hitter. As a pitcher he was 6-2 with an earned run average of 2.83. In 60 innings of mound work, Hill fanned 69 and walked 20.
He finished red-hot at the dish for the Brew Crew, batting .378 with seven homers and 45 runs batted in. He had a .601 slugging mark and a .452 on-base percentage. Time after time Hill delivered clutch hits for the Flames as they battled back from a slow start to earn a spot in the Gulf South Conference six-team playoff.
"I believe Hill's best days as a pitcher are ahead of him,” pointed out Brew. “For the first time he will be able to focus on pitching only and I think that will be a tremendous help in his improvement and potential advancement. I believe his velocity and command will improve now that he is focusing solely on pitching. We wish him the best as he joins the Marlins organization."