Calhoun's Josh Schubert, Lee University's Kris Hall drafted

photo Calhoun's Josh Schubert
photo Lee University baseball pitcher Kris Hall

Calhoun High School outfielder Josh Schubert was picked Tuesday in the seventh round of baseball's annual player draft by the Cleveland Indians, and Lee University pitcher Kris Hall went in the eighth round to the Oakland Athletics.

Former Calhoun star Jordan Poole, who played this year for Chipola Junior College in Florida after first signing with Mississippi, was drafted in the 14th round by the Washington Nationals.

Schubert was just getting ready to step on the field for a game at East Cobb and said, "I don't know yet whether I'll sign or go to college, but I feel good whichever way I choose to go."

At least two teams had told him he wouldn't last past the third round, but he learned quickly that the baseball draft is less predictable than those in other pro sports most of the time.

"I was disappointed with [where I was drafted]. The Indians have been in contact for a while, but they weren't the team I expected to get picked by," Schubert said. "They saw I was still available and picked me, so I'm an Indian."

Schubert, who hit better than .400 each of the last three seasons, also pitched but is expected to be solely an outfielder in professional baseball. He has signed with High Point (N.C.) University.

Hall was an anchor for Lee after transitioning from the bullpen into the starting rotation. He posted a 12-0 record in 16 starts with a 1.71 ERA.

"Throwing No. 1 for us, we needed a guy that gives us a chance to win every time out," said Flames coach Mark Brew, whose team finished fourth in the NAIA World Series.

Hall was one of three Flames named to the NAIA All-America first team, a first for Lee. He was joined by senior second baseman Blake Barber and junior designated hitter Corey Davis.

Hall also was a junior this year, but Brew doesn't expect to see him returning to the Cleveland school.

"We'd love to have him back, but it's probably better for him personally to make that move. I'd put a pretty high percentage on it," the coach said. "He has proved himself at this level and he's ready for that next challenge. There was a lot of interest. It was just who was going to pull the trigger first."

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound Hall registered 122 strikeouts in 100 innings and held opponents to a .191 batting average.

"Some [scouts] liked him as a starter and others as a reliever," Brew said. "He's been clocked anywhere from 90 to 96 [mph], his slider has been good and his changeup has improved. His slider, too, is a power slider at 84-88. He might be a late-innings guy, and if he's throwing an inning a night I think he could be throwing 94-96."

Poole batted .329 for Chipola and led the team with seven homers and 15 doubles.

Staff writer Lindsey Young contributed to this report.

Contact Ward Gossett at wgossett@timesfreepress.com or 423-886-4765.

Upcoming Events