Texas Tech University Athletics
Kelby Tomlinson Named No. 3 Prospect from Jayhawk League
September 14, 2010 | Baseball
Sept. 14, 2010
LUBBOCK, Texas - Texas Tech baseball newcomer Kelby Tomlinson, a transfer from Seward County Community College, was recently ranked the No. 3 prospect from the Jayhawk Summer League by Baseball America. Tomlinson, a junior from Elgin, Okla., helped lead the Liberal (Kan.) Bee Jays to the 2010 National Baseball Congress World Series championship.
The national publication released its Top Prospect List for 18 college summer leagues with Tomlinson named the top position player from within the league. Left-handed pitchers Charlie Lowell (El Dorado) and Brian Flynn (El Dorado) were the top two Jayhawk League prospects listed.
Tomlinson, an All-Jayhawk League selection at shortstop, was an honorable mention National Junior College Athletic Association All-American last year. He batted .352 (87-for-247) with 90 runs, 13 doubles, six triples, six home runs, 30 RBI and stole 28-of-32 bases at Seward County.
He was named the Liberal Bee Jays Team MVP after batting .363 (fourth in the league) with over 40 stolen bases on the season. In fact, Tomlinson was 12-of-13 in stolen bases during the NBC World Series.
Baseball America Capsule - Kelby Tomlinson
- Tomlinson played the last two seasons at Seward County (Kan.) CC and is set to transfer to Texas Tech for the 2011 season. Long and lean at 6-foot-3, 175 pounds, coaches agree he was the league's best athlete and should be a solid college shortstop, with enough range and arm for the position. He probably lacks the quickness to play the spot at the major league level but should have the hands and arm strength to stay in the infield, perhaps as a utility player as a pro. He is a plus runner whose speed translates well offensively. He's an aggressive and smart base runner who led the league in stolen bases but who also showed wiry strength and good gap power. Offensively, Tomlinson showed a knack for getting on base, working counts and for bat control as he hit .363, fourth in the Jayhawk. He drew seven walks and stole a tournament-high 12 bases in Liberal's eight games en route to the NBC World Series championship.
