Chris Kirkland

Position:
c
Ht./Wt.:
6-4 / 200
Class:
Junior
Hometown:
Knoxville, Tenn.

Kirkland's Career Highs
AB:
5, 2x, last vs. Austin Peay (6/2/07)
Runs:
4 vs. Akron (3/18/07)
Hits:
3, 5x, last vs. Austin Peay (6/2/07)
RBI: 5 at SEMO (4/25/07)
HR: 2 vs. Akron (3/18/07)
Hitting Streak:
10 games, (3/18/07-4/6/07)

Outlook for 2008: Healthy and ready for a solid senior season as the returning starting catcher. Has made great strides offensively from full year in the program and will be expected to lead and handle an experienced pitching staff. Could also see occasional time on the mound in relief role.

2007 (Junior): Took over as Memphis' everyday catcher...Made 41 starts in the 48 games he played in...Hit .275 with 25 RBI, eight doubles and four homers...Threw out 11 would-be base stealers...Went 3-for-4 with four runs scored, three RBI and two homers in a 12-6 win over Akron (3/18/07)...Had a 3-for-4 night with a career-hihg five RBI vs. SEMO (4/25/07).

Alabama (2005): Saw considerable playing time as a freshman... Overall hit .261, scored two runs and drove in five in 2005...Saw action in 15 games and made seven starts as a rookie...Went 1-for-3 against the Tigers on April 12...Posted one game in which he collected multiple RBI and finished the season on a two-game hitting streak...Earned playing time in two of the Crimson Tide's three SEC Tournament games and hit .333.

Chipola JC (2006): Was a dual position player for head coach Jeff Johnson and the Chipola Indians before suffering a season-ending arm injury...Totaled just 35 at-bats at Chipola...Garnered five hits and a .143 average...Scored three runs and drove in three...On the hill, went 2-0 with a save...Logged a 3.47 ERA in 23.1 innings of work.

Prep: Was a four-year letterman behind the plate for head coach Robby Howard at South-Doyle High School...One of the top high school catching prospects in the nation as a senior...Signed with Alabama in 2004...Had a stellar prep career and was rated by Baseball America' as a Top-10 high school catcher...Batted .436 with nine round trippers, 55 RBI and 25 doubles as a senior...Was a First Team All-State selection by the Knoxville News Sentinel...Earned All-East Tennessee and All-Knoxville Interscholastic League accolades...As a junior, was tabbed the No. 1 prospect at the 2003 Southeast Top Prospect Showcase...Participated in the 2003 Perfect Game National Showcase and was selected as the No.2 catcher and 20th-best prospect overall...Tabbed an AFLAC High School All-American...Was a member of the West team in the inaugural 2003 AFLAC All-American High School All-Star Game...Was a Street and Smith's High School All-American...Hit .406 with 25 RBI and one home run as a sophomore...Also lettered in golf.

Personal: Full name is Christopher Shayne Kirkland III...Son of Chris and Sandra Kirkland...Born October 6, 1985...Was drafted in the 49th round of the 2004 Major League draft by the Florida Marlins following his senior season in high school...Majoring in management.