June 13, 2006

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Two-year UAB baseball letterwinner Ryan Metcalf signed a free-agent deal with the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday, and will begin his professional career in the Arizona Rookie League later this month.

Metcalf, a Pelham, Ala. native, will travel to Arizona this week to begin preparation with the Arizona Brewers, the rookie league affiliate of Milwaukee. The rookie-league season opens on June 23rd.

Metcalf was a standout shortstop for the Blazers in his two seasons at Young Memorial Field, tallying over 90 hits in a UAB uniform. An all-around performer, he led the team with eight sacrifices while swiping nine bases in 2006. Defensively is where Metcalf shined, recording a conference-high 215 assists, shattering the previous UAB record of 204 set by Dan Harness in 1997. Metcalf was tabbed a "Player to Watch" in Conference USA prior to the start of the 2006 campaign. A durable athlete, he started all 114 games he played in during his two-year career.

He becomes the first Blazer to sign a professional contract since 2003, when UAB outfielder Mitch Jones was drafted by the Tampa Devil Rays in the 25th round.