Two Alabama Baseball Players Sign Pro Contracts
7/13/2011 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
July 13, 2011
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Alabama pitchers Adam Morgan (Marietta, Ga.) and Nathan Kilcrease (Phenix City, Ala.) have moved on to the minor leagues after signing professional contracts with their respective teams. Morgan joined the Williamsport Crosscutters of the New York-Penn League the first week of July, while Kilcrease joined the Vermont Lake Monsters of the New York-Penn League in mid June.
Morgan was the first Crimson Tide player to be selected in the 2011 draft when he was picked in the third round by the Philadelphia Phillies. In three years at Alabama, Morgan posted a 16-14 record in 47 appearances. In 2011, he was 5-7 with a 4.64 earned run average in 16 starts. He threw 97.0 innings with 77 strikeouts, 26 walks and a .278 opponent's batting average.
During his junior campaign, Morgan posted 11 outings of at least 6.0 innings, which included a complete game against Tennessee on April 16. He was the starting pitcher for two of Alabama's six shutouts this season. He threw 8.0 innings against LSU on May 7, as the Crimson Tide defeated the Tigers 4-0. He had a season-high of seven strikeouts twice in 2011, once against Arkansas and once against Auburn.
Kilcrease was the 916th pick overall and was selected by the Oakland A's in the 30th round. The 5-6 right-handed pitcher led the Tide with eight wins in 2011, finishing his senior season with an 8-4 record and a 3.12 ERA. He led the team with 88 strikeouts in a team-high 101.0 innings pitched. Kilcrease completed his career at Alabama with a 23-11 overall record, with a 3.21 ERA and 240 strikeouts in 278.0 innings. Also finished his time at Alabama holding numerous records including the record for the most career appearances (88), tying for sixth with 23 career wins, and ranking seventh all-time with 240 career strikeouts.
Morgan has appeared in one game this summer for Williamsport. The lefty went 3.0 innings, allowing three hits and three runs in his first start of his professional career. Kilcrease has already appeared in six games for the Lake Monsters. In those six appearances Kilcrease has earned one win and one save in 7.0 innings of work while striking out seven batters and holding opponents to a .250 average against.
Both players will continue their first professional seasons in Class-A Short-Season. The Tide still awaits decisions from four other players including current standout senior-to-be Taylor Dugas (eighth round, Cubs) and three 2011-12 signees in Ian Gardeck (eighth round, White Sox), William Kamplain (22nd round, Cardinals) and Taylor Guilbeau (39th round, Yankees). Players have until August 15 to sign with the major league club.
