Liddle signs with Twins

by Barca Blog - Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune is reporting that 15th-round draft pick Steven Liddle has signed with the Minnesota Twins.

Liddle, a second team All-SEC performer, had a standout sophomore year batting .348 with 10 homers and 51 RBIs. He led the team in virtually every offensive category during conference play including batting average (.374), runs (33), hits (43), doubles (tied-11), homers (7), total bases (75), slugging percentage (.652) and on-base percentage (.474).

Liddle was also spectacular in the outfield during his career, registering five assists while committing only four errors in two seasons.

The Franklin High product, and nephew of Twins bench coach Steve Liddle, was draft eligible because he redshirted his first year at VU. He will report to Elizabethton (Tenn.) of the Appalachian Rookie League Wednesday.

More Signing News: Earlier in the week, junior ace Mike Minor agreed to terms with the Atlanta Braves. He received a $2.42 million signing bonus, the highest ever given to a seventh overall selection.

“We were excited about being drafted in the first round, and then to be picked by the Braves was like a dream," Minor told the Atlanta Journal Constitution. "Now to get a bonus like this — it’s a little overwhelming.”

David Boclair of The City Paper also reported that pitcher Drew Hayes will be coming back for his senior season. Hayes is having a solid summer as a reliever for Yarmouth-Dennis, the Eastern Division regular season champions in the Cape Cod League. In 10 appearances, he's 3-0 with a 1.25 ERA in 21.2 innings. Y-D is currently down 1-0 to Cotuit in a best-of-3 playoff series.

Still to be Determined: Pitcher Caleb Cotham, a fifth-round selection of the New York Yankees, as well as the 'Dores incoming recruiting class have until Monday, August 17, to decide whether to enroll at Vanderbilt or go pro.

Liddle drafted by Twins in 15th round

By Travis Young - Vanderbilt outfielder Steven Liddle was just drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 15th round (462nd pick overall) of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft. Liddle was draft eligible because he redshirted his first season at VU. A product of Franklin, Tenn., Liddle has a small connection to the Twins organization as his uncle serves as the bench coach for the big league club.

Mr. Consistent

By Travis Young - Steven Liddle is quietly putting together a very nice season for the Commodores this season. In a league that features players like Kent Matthes, Rich Poythress and Nick Ebert, Liddle’s name kind of flies under the radar.

Through 61 games this season, the second-team All-SEC outfielder is currently tied or leading the team in eight offensive categories; (runs (62), doubles (21), home runs (10), triples (2), slugging % (.582) on-base % (.449), walks (40) and total bases (139). Liddle is second on the team in hitting with at .351 average while batting mostly out of the two through four hole this season.

Through May 24, Liddle ranked in the top-10 among all Southeastern Conference players in seven offensive categories; (batting average, on-base percentage, runs, hits, doubles, walks and total bases).

VU head coach Tim Corbin knew when they recruited him that they were getting a special talent in Liddle.

“Steve is a good all-around player who has always competed at a high level,” head coach Tim Corbin said. “He is very fundamentally sound in the outfield and handles the bat well. He has developed into a real good player for us and he is only in his second year of college baseball.”

In addition to his constant bat in the heart of the order, Liddle has showed that he can play defense as well, boasting a .984 fielding percentage while recording 118 put outs.

Coming into the season, Liddle was expected to start in either left or right field after coming on strong at the end of the year, but has blossomed into one of team’s best hitters. Liddle hit .310 with 28 RBI and 28 runs scored in 54 games last season, but has exploded offensively this season in becoming one of team’s most clutch hitters.

Harris headlines All-SEC teams

by SID Redshirt junior shortstop Brian Harris headlined a group of four Vanderbilt players named to All-Southeastern Conference teams as voted by the coaches and released by the league office Tuesday morning.

Harris, along with Alabama’s Josh Rutledge, was named to the All-SEC first team at short. Redshirt sophomore outfielder Steven Liddle earned second-team plaudits, while second baseman Riley Reynolds and designated hitter Aaron Westlake garnered All-Freshmen team honors.

“I am proud of all of the guys for making an All-SEC team,” said Vanderbilt head coach Tim Corbin. “It is a testament to the hard work they display each and every day and for them to be mentioned among the best in the league is certainly an honor for them.”

Click Here for the full release.

Liddle power

by Barca Blog - Steven Liddle’s monster home run in the top of the first Friday went so far over the right field fence at Carolina Stadium that it hit a car parked across the street. It was Liddle’s eighth blast on the year, which is tied for the team lead, and his third in the last four games.

The sophomore outfielder has always handled the bat well, but his power surge has been an added bonus in the Commodore lineup considering he didn’t have any collegiate home runs coming into the season.

“Last year, I was more of a line drive hitter,” Liddle said. “This year I’m just seeing the ball better and when you’re in hitter’s counts you might as well get the bat head out and see how far you can hit it.”

The Franklin High product leads Vanderbilt in almost every offensive category during SEC play this season including batting average (.365), runs (25), hits (31), doubles (9), homers (6), total bases (58) and slugging percentage (.682). He’s also second in walks (13), RBI’s (18) and on-base percentage (.449).