Advertisement
baseball Edit

Double reverse for JUCO slugger

Joshua Anthony plans to turn down an offer from the Atlanta Braves and enroll at Auburn.

Anthony was one of the nation's top JUCO hitters the last two seasons.
Anthony was one of the nation's top JUCO hitters the last two seasons.
Courtesy of Western Oklahoma
Advertisement

AUBURN | Joshua Anthony has reversed course again.

Wednesday, the junior college slugger said he had turned down an offer from the Atlanta Braves, who selected him in the 16th round of MLB Draft earlier this month, to enroll at Auburn.

Thursday, the Braves upped his offer and Anthony informed Auburn he would sign with the major league club. But Friday, the Braves withdrew the offer, citing a clerical error in the amount available, and Anthony had decided to stick with the Tigers.

“I’m going to Auburn,” said Anthony, a third baseman from Western Oklahoma Community College. “There was a number of factors that played into it. I narrowed it down to what would be better for me over the long term and Auburn was the one.

“It was a tough choice but it was a win for me either way and I’m glad I made this decision.”

The deadline for MLB teams to sign draftees is July 15.

Anthony had a big sophomore season hitting .444 with 25 home runs, 84 RBI and 49 stolen bases. In two years at Western Oklahoma, he totaled 40 doubles, 45 home runs, 155 RBI and 67 stolen bases.

The Columbus, Ga., native fills a big hole in Auburn’s lineup as the Tigers must replace their top four hitters.

Anthony plans to enroll at Auburn Aug. 16.

“I’m going to do anything I can to win,” Anthony said. “Auburn is rebuilding their program and I want to be a part of that.”

Anthony will join a big group of newcomers expected to enroll at Auburn this fall.

Advertisement