After right handed pitcher Riley Quick was chosen in the first round, #36 overall, in the MLB Draft on Sunday he had two former teammates picked on day two. Quick was taken by the Minnesota Twins and the thirty- sixth pick carries at slot value of $2,692,00.
On day two senior outfielder Kade Snell was taken in the 5th round with pick number 151 by the Chicago Cubs. Snell came to Alabama via the JUCO route as a two way player. In 2024 Snell pitched and played designated hitter for the Tide. For the 2025
season the Wicksburg, AL native settled into a position player and played left field for Alabama. Snell made the All SEC team and was a 2nd team All American, hitting .363 with 10 home runs and 52 RBI. In his two seasons at The Capstone the lefty hit .347 with 16 home runs, 82 RBI, 22 doubles, 53 walks, and only 36 strikeouts. The slot value for the pick is $465,400.
Two rounds later centerfielder Richie Bonomolo, Jr followed Snell off the board at #224 to the New York Yankees, a dream come true for the Bronx native and lifelong Yankee fan. Bonomolo made the SEC Tournament All Tournament team for his play in Hoover. On the season the speedy outfielder hit .311 with 17 doubles, two triples, eight home runs, scored 53 runs, knocked in 52, and swiped 16 bases in 17 tries. Bonomolo was a JUCO All American at Wabash Valley College and stole over 100 bases while being caught only five times over his two seasons.
Right handed pitcher Matthew Tippee out of Texas State had entered the transfer portal and committed to Alabama back in early June. In two seasons at TSU Tippee pitched 67 innings and struck out 100 batters. The Tide was looking forward to having Tippee in the back end of the bullpen but alas the hurler signed an Undrafted Free Agent contract with the New York Yankees after the draft ended.
Through out the day the Tide received good new after good news as several of their highly rated incoming players announced they were going to come to school rather than sign a pro contract. Pitcher Myles Upchurch, pitcher-infielder Caleb Barnett, infielder Will Rhine, and outfielder Eric Hines all took to social media to pledge their allegiance to Bama. Upchurch was still chosen in the 19th round as the 564th pick the Cincinnati Reds. Barnett was taken with pick #571 also in the 19th round, and incoming freshman pitcher Ma’Holden was chosen in the final, 20th, round at pick #605. Transfer pitcher Garrett Stieg out of Virginia Tech was an 18th round pick, number #542 overall, by the Seattle Mariners. Of that group Holden and Steig are the only two that haven’t made an announcement of their plans yet. Receiving their pledges again would top of a fantastic week for the team.
After all was said and done things went about as well as they possible could for Coach Rob Vaughn and his Crimson Tide program. The day had a Christmas in July feeling among Alabama players, staff, and fans.
Roll Tide
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