Matt Talley Signs Contract with Atlanta Braves

Charleston, S.C. – Former Bulldog Matt Talley signed a contract with the Atlanta Braves this week and has been assigned to the Braves affiliate in the Rookie Gulf Coast League.

Talley (Sumter, S.C.) was selected by the Braves with the 866th overall pick in the 28th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft in early June. The left-hander made his minor league debut on Tuesday evening when he tossed 1.0 scoreless inning of relief against the Gulf Coast Yankees allowing a walk while picking up a strikeout.

After being drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 25th round of the 2010 MLB Draft, Talley elected to return to school for his senior season and complete his civil engineering degree. He leaves The Citadel ranked fifth all-time in career innings pitched with 300.0 and in career starts with 48.

The southpaw was named the preseason SoCon Pitcher of the Year in 2011 after earning All-Region honors at the NCAA Regional in Columbia in 2010 when he picked up the win over No. 16 Virginia Tech as he allowed just two runs in 7.0 innings of work in the upset of the Hokies. Talley collected 21 career victories in 62 appearances with the Bulldogs that included 235 career strikeouts, four complete games and a pair of shutouts.

Talley joins former Bulldog Matt Crim (Charleston, S.C.), who was taken in the 21st round of the 2009 draft by Atlanta, in the Braves organization. Crim is currently pitching for the Lynchburg Hillcats, Atlanta's Class-A Advanced affiliate.

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