Southern University's Frazier Hall and Cody Hall get drafted by Major League Baseball

Baton Rouge, LA --When the big day began, Frazier Hall had a few phone conversations with baseball people — scouts, advisors and the like — who gave him encouraging news. They told the Southern first baseman that when the second day of the Major League Baseball draft got under way, he might go as early as the seventh round.

Then the waiting began. And continued. And continued. Frazier Hall was about to leave for an afternoon workout when the 16th round began. He took a few more phone calls, then checked his computer. The wait was over. The Los Angeles Angels took Frazier Hall in the 16th round Tuesday, giving him the shot at pro baseball he’s always dreamed of.


Videographer: MLB, SU's Frazier Hall

Less than an hour later, the San Francisco Giants took his teammate, right-hander Cody Hall, in the 19th round. The celebration began.

Frazier Hall, Cody Hall get a shot at pro ball

Frazier Hall and Cody Hall are both off the board.

Southern’s top two baseball prospects were selected within an hour of each other Tuesday during the Major League Baseball draft — first baseman Frazier Hall going in the 16th round to the Los Angeles Angels; right-hander Cody Hall going in the 19th round to the San Francisco Giants.

Frazier Hall earned his second straight Southwestern Athletic Conference Player of the Year award this season, thanks mostly to his sparkling offensive numbers.

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UAPB gets $500,000 from Angel for complex

Photo: Torii Hunter donates half million dollars to build new UAPB baseball complex. Hunter did not attend UAPB or any other college.


PINE BLUFF, AR — Major league baseball player Torii Hunter committed $500,000 on Friday afternoon toward a proposed $9 million University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff baseball complex, which will bear his name.

UAPB Athletic Director Skip Perkins said Hunter closed the deal Friday morning.

Perkins said the complex will be named the Torii Hunter Baseball Complex. The donation is the largest ever to the school’s athletics department from a single person, Perkins said.

“We are very, very grateful,” Perkins said. “We’re ready to rock and roll now. That was a huge component to our fundraising efforts.” Perkins said the fundraising committee will begin its drive next month, although he wasn’t certain exactly when.

Hunter, a Los Angeles Angels outfielder and a 1993 graduate of Pine Bluff High School, was traveling with the team Friday afternoon and unavailable for comment, said Larry Babcock, a spokesman for the Angels. A message left on Hunter’s cell phone Friday was not returned.

Hunter did not attend UAPB or any other college. He was a first-round draft pick for the Minnesota Twins straight out of high school. He played his first major-league game in 1997.

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