Former Hillcrest Patriot and Shelton State catcher Colby Smelley was drafted with the No. 395 pick in the MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox. Smelley, selected in the 13th round, was just the second position player selected by the White Sox in the draft.
Alabama junior relief pitcher Chase Lee was drafted No. 164 overall in the 2021 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers. The Rangers picked Lee with the second pick in the sixth round. Lee was Alabama's third player drafted in this year's draft and was the highest Crimson Tide relief pitcher selected since Thomas Burrows was drafted in the fourth round in 2014.
Alabama junior pitcher Dylan Smith was drafted with the No. 74 pick today in the 2021 MLB Draft by the Detroit Tigers. Smith was taken with the third pick in the third round, he is the highest Bama pitcher to be selected since Spencer Turnbull was taken in the second round in 2014.
Chicago White Sox Shortstop and Hillcrest High School Alum, Tim Anderson has been named the featured cover athlete for the 2021 version of the R.B.I. Baseball video game series.