Former Kickapoo shortstop Chandler Hall is set to sign a minor league free-agent contract with the Philadelphia Phillies Monday after the organization reached out to him following last week's MLB Draft.
"Playing professional baseball has been a dream of mine for as long as I can imagine," Hall said on Friday.
Hall, a junior at Louisiana Tech, hit .271 with a .377 on-base percentage in 2016, leading the team with 16 doubles and finishing third with seven home runs. Hall also led the Bulldogs with 21 steals and 44 runs and had 38 RBI. Defensively, Hall led the team his sophomore season with 170 assists.
Hall's name went uncalled during the draft despite being contacted by officials from both the Phillies and Miami Marlins over the three-day period.
"Juniors typically don't sign free agent deals," Hall said. "I got a call at about 10:30 p.m. the day after the draft, right when I was about to fall asleep. They offered me. I said I needed to talk to my parents, and we decided it was what's best for me.
"It was just extremely humbling. It's a blessing. After not getting drafted, I was upset. Through a lot of prayer, and talking with my family, everything seemed to work out. I'm just grateful for the opportunity."
Hall will report to the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Phillies in Clearwater, Fla. on Sunday before signing his contract Monday and beginning mini-camp Monday afternoon.
At Kickapoo, Hall was a three-year varsity player who was named first-team all conference in 2012 and 2013.
Louisiana Tech finished 2016 42-20. They were eliminated in the NCAA regionals by #4 Mississippi State.
