Hillcrest Graduate Colby Smelley Drafted By Chicago White Sox

Former Hillcrest Patriot and Shelton State catcher Colby Smelley was drafted with the No. 395 pick in the MLB Draft by the Chicago White Sox. Smelley, selected in the 13th round, was just the second position player selected by the White Sox in the draft.

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Smelley, a University of Louisiana at Lafayette commit, raked at the plate in 2021 batting .436 with nine homeruns and 48 RBI with a .687 slugging percentage.

Smelley was the MVP of the ACCC Tournament, an event that the Buccaneers won qualifying them for the NJCAA World Series.

In 128 career games he batted .385 with 113 RBI and nine homeruns with a .533 slugging percentage.

He becomes the second Patriot to join the White Sox organization after they selected Tim Anderson in 2013. Anderson has emerged as one of the top players in baseball and recently made his first MLB All-Star game.

After being drafted, players with remaining eligibility may opt to return to college and continue their career in order to try to improve their draft position should they choose not to sign a professional contract.