Southern Miss right-handed pitcher Tanner Hall is the first Golden Eagle to be selected in this year’s MLB draft.
The Minnesota Twins selected Hall as the No. 114th overall pick in the fourth round.
Hall’s draft-slot value of $586,000, according to MLB.com. Southern Miss has had at least one player selected in the draft since 2012 and has had at least one player taken in the top four rounds dating back to 2017.
"My whole college career was nothing but a blessing," Hall told Pine Belt Sports. "The opportunities I was given, the choices that the coaches gave me, and the relationships that were built within the whole program is something that I feel like I can never repay with everything they have done for me as a baseball player and as a person. Southern Miss is going to be in my heart for the rest of my life. I know for sure that it’s a place that I will go back to because it’s a place that is special to me and will forever be that way."
Hall was one of the most decorated pitchers in Southern Miss’ as he became one of the most effective starters in the country as he emerged as the Golden Eagles’ ace during the 2022 season. His fastball sits between 88-92 mph, with changeup being his most effective pitch.
This past season, Hall held a 2.48 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP, struck out 124 batters and walked 33 in 112.1 innings of work. Hall was named the Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year and became a consensus All-American as he earned first-team honors by every major college baseball outlet and was chosen as the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove winner. Hall also received an invitation to MLB Draft Combine last month.
After his sophomore season, Hall was a consensus All-American, the Boo Ferris Trophy winner, was selected as the Conference USA Pitcher of the Year and made the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team.
The Zachary, Louisiana native will finish his collegiate career posting a 2.92 ERA, a 22-8 record, 302 strikeouts and just 53 walks in 250 innings.
Two other former Southern Miss players are currently active in the Twins organization with Matt Wallner playing for St. Paul (AAA) and Ben Ethridge assigned to Fort Meyers (A).
"It's a big relief," Hall said. It's a weight off my shoulders. I'm sitting and waiting to see where I'm going and when and so it's a big relief to feel that to finally know where I'm heading and can start thinking and visualizing that process.
"I'm really excited. I love the fact that it has Southern Miss guys in the system. Southern Miss is my favorite school ever after these past three years. Just knowing that there are other alums that are there makes you feel good, knowing that there will be people that have been through what you have been through at the same school."
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