The University of Alabama baseball team will have a representative in Omaha this summer after all.
Sophomore outfielder Chandler Taylor has been chosen to participate in the 2017 College Home Run Derby on July 1. The College Home Run Derby is an annual event held at TD Ameritrade Park after the College World Series.
The College Home Run Derby includes six hitters from around the country. It will be televised on ESPN.
Taylor was Alabama’s only All-SEC pick this season. He was named to the second team after batting .282 and leading the team with 16 home runs and 34 RBIs. He finished the regular season third in the conference in home runs and fifth with a .634 slugging percentage. His seven stolen bases also led Alabama.
He was the only UA hitter chosen in this month’s MLB draft, going in the 27th round to the Minnesota Twins. Taylor has not signed a professional contract and could return to Tuscaloosa for his junior season.
Taylor’s season started slow, but he was a dangerous hitter during SEC play. He batted .295 with 10 home runs and 15 RBIs in 30 conference games. He led the team in hits, doubles, home runs, RBIs, walks, total bases, slugging percentage and on-base percentage in SEC play. He hit .263 against nonconference competition.
The Montgomery native has been named to an All-SEC team after each of his first two seasons. He was on the All-SEC freshman team in 2016. Taylor was also named SEC player of the week after UA’s sweep of Auburn in May. He led the team in every major offensive category that weekend.
Reach Ben Jones at ben@tidesports.com or 205-722-0196.
