Grambling, LA---Grambling State Tigers junior outfielder Eldred Barnett was taken in the 29th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft by the World Champions San Francisco Giants.The Benton, Louisiana native becomes the second consecutive Tiger outfielder taken in the MLB draft under head coach James Cooper who himself was taken in the 33rd round as an outfielder by the Houston Astros in 2004.
Barnett (6-2, 200), who was named to the All-Conference first team was also tabbed the Southwestern Athletic Conference newcomer of the year and selected to the 2011 SWAC Tournament All-Tournament team. Barnett led the team in hitting with a .355 batting average on 59 hits. He tallied 11 doubles on the season along with 41 runs scored and 44 RBI's.
“By far he was the best hitter on the team this past year, a guy you could just pencil in in the three hole for us, led the team in average and RBI and one of our top base stealers,” said Cooper.
“I'm proud of him. He started off here and had to transfer to another school because he wasn't a qualifier coming out of high school. The difference between him as a freshman here and after the JUCO did him some justice. He was able to come in and produce right away. It's going to be a tough road for him to make it to the big league but if he works hard and continues to get better day by day he will be able to make it.”
By GSU Sports Information
