Shelton State Catcher Colby Smelley Drafted By Chicago White Sox

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Shelton State Community College catcher and former Hillcrest High Patriot Colby Smelley saw his name selected on third day of the 2021 Major League Baseball Draft Tuesday, going in the 13th round with 395th overall pick to the Chicago White Sox.

Smelley, a Louisiana-Lafayette commit, was instrumental in the Bucs' run to an ACCC title and an appearance in the NJCAA World Series. Despite Shelton State coming up short in Grand Junction, Colorado, Smelley was a key contributor and earned a selection to the All-Tournament team.

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In game one of the NJCAA World Series against Walters State, Smelley went 3-for-6 with a home run and 3 RBIs, before getting two hits in the 11-10 loss to San Jacinto and also going 2-for-5 in the elimination loss to Cowley College.

Smelley finished the 2021 campaign with 9 home runs and 48 RBIs, standing out as a central force in a powerful offensive lineup by batting .436 on the year.

The power-hitting catcher was also a key contributor in big postseason moments, winning MVP of the ACCC Tournament. During the state tournament, Smelley's stat sheet finished 16-for-30 over six games with a pair of home runs and 10 RBIs.

After being drafted by the White Sox, he becomes the second former Hillcrest Patriot to be selected by the South Siders in Chicago in a decade, joining Tuscaloosa native and 2021 MLB All-Star Tim Anderson, who was a first round selection out of East Central Community College in 2013.

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