Southfield

Southfield resident and Lathrup grad feels ‘honored’ by MLB draft

By Mike Moore
C & G Sports Writer

» click to enlarge « Photo provided by Western Texas College Thurman Hall played one season at Western Texas College, hitting .348 with three doubles, four triples, 12 stolen bases and 29 RBI. The Lathrup grad was drafted by the White Sox in June. Photo provided by Western Texas College Thurman Hall played one season at Western Texas College, hitting .348 with three doubles, four triples, 12 stolen bases and 29 RBI. The Lathrup grad was drafted by the White Sox in June.

SOUTHFIELD — The instructions were simple.

Thurman Hall sat at his computer, and if he saw his name pop up, he was to call his dad and let him know, immediately.

Roughly five minutes later, with his father having just left the house, Hall sat in shock as his name appeared.

“So I called my dad, but he didn’t answer,” Hall said. “Then I called my mom, but she didn’t answer, either. I just started yelling. I mean, it’s a thrill, but nobody was home to even tell about it.”

His parents eventually returned, and Hall filled them in on all the details.

The 2010 Lathrup Village Southfield-Lathrup grad had officially been selected in the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft.

“It’s just a thrill, it really is,” Hall said when reached by phone last week in Virginia. “So many people dream of having a chance to play in the majors. It’s an honor for me to live that dream right now.”

The 2010 Lathrup Village Southfield-Lathrup grad — who played one year at Western Texas College following high school, hitting .348 with three doubles, four triples, 12 stolen bases and 29 RBI — was selected in 37th round by the Chicago White Sox June 6.

Days after being picked, he signed a pro contract and reported to mini camp in Arizona.

He’s now in the midst of playing rookie ball in Virginia.

Lathrup baseball coach Darren Mosley, who kept Hall on the varsity as a freshman, believes Hall is the first Chargers player ever drafted into the Majors.

“I’m not 100 percent positive, but I think he is,” Mosley said. “But I’m not surprised at all. He only played one year of travel baseball before we got him, but I always knew he had the ability to be something special, and he worked at it.”

Mosley said Hall hit .125 as a freshman, but quickly dedicated himself to the game after that.

He batted .283 his sophomore season and above .400 as a junior.

His senior season was by far his best, though.

He batted .416 for Lathrup, stole 31 bases, led the team with four home runs and seven triples, and added 15 RBI from the leadoff position.

“And he’s always been an incredibly gifted outfielder,” Mosley added.

With one year of college ball under his belt, his new goal is simple.

“I don’t care how long it takes or what I have to do, I want to make it all the way,” he said. “I want to be on the South Side of Chicago playing in U.S. Cellular Field.”
 

You can reach C & G Sports Writer Mike Moore at mmoore@candgnews.com or at (586)498-1038. Follow Mike on Twitter.