Troy catcher Brooks to sign professionally

By Drew Champlin

Published: June 10, 2008

Beau Brooks will soon become the latest Troy Trojan to try his hand at professional baseball.

Brooks, who finished his junior year for the Trojans, was picked in the 20th round of last week’s MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Angels. The catcher said Monday he was going to sign with the organization.

“It’s such a good organization for catchers,” Brooks said. “Coach (Bobby) Pierce and coach (Jeff) Crane know a lot of people with the organization, so it all made it seem right.”

Brooks hit .323 with 11 home runs and 43 RBIs this year for Troy, which finished 32-26 overall and third in the Sun Belt. He blossomed into a middle-of-the-order hitter for the Trojans this year and he already had the arm that professional scouts were looking for.

He pointed to two things — readiness to get started on a professional career and money, which he said the Angels offered “much higher than a 20th round pick should get” — as reasons to sign. Brooks had one more year of eligibility left.

“I feel like I’m ready to go ahead and give it a shot,” Brooks said.

Brooks was the only Trojan drafted, though he could be catching Troy signee Buddy Boshiers, who was picked in the fourth round by the Angels and is expected to sign.

He said Monday he isn’t sure yet where he will begin his pro career, but it will likely be in Orem, Utah, for the Orem Owlz, an Angels Rookie League team in the Pioneer League.

Pierce, the Troy head coach, has known Brooks since he played youth ball with his son in Huntsville. Then, Pierce was the head coach at Alabama-Huntsville.

“His positive contributions went well beyond his accomplishments on the field,” Pierce said. “His accomplishments got him what he was looking for professionally. He did everything the right way, and he’s a great example for young players everywhere.”

Brooks’ likely replacement at catcher next year will be Brett Chamberlain, who played the last two years at Wallace for coach Mackey Sasser.

“That’s why we signed Brett,” Pierce said. “The pro buzz on Beau started last fall. We felt like he was the best catcher in the state and possibly beyond.

“He’s got great defensive skills and a tremendous arm. We’re going to try to get him stronger this summer so he can increase his offensive production and help him move along in his professional dreams.”

Blake Martz, a redshirt freshman, will battle Chamberlain.

“He’s an up-and-coming catcher,” Pierce said. “He’s a real offensive-type guy and a big threat at the plate.”

Other Trojan notes: Troy signed J.R. Myers, a Prattville native who played two years at North Florida Community College. He could play left field, third base or second base for Troy. It’s the fifth signee this spring for the Trojans ... Pitching coach Jeff Crane and his wife Shannon welcomed their first child, son Jackson last week ... Troy opens next season with a three-game set at Coastal Carolina, an NCAA Super Regional participant. The other two non-conference weekends will be home series against Memphis and LeMoyne.