Stillman College Keeps Local Standout Baseball Player
TUSCALOOSA-- Tuscaloosa County High School standout Jon Hayden Raper officially signed his letter of intent to play baseball at Stillman College. Raper made the commitment official on July 6 in front of many friends and family who were in attendance to support the young man's decision to continue his baseball career.
The Tigers begin fall practice very soon after Labor Day and Raper hopes that he can come in and make an impact wherever he is needed. During his time as Tuscaloosa County, he exhibited his full utility for his team and played multiple positions for his high school team.
Raper said that it has been his dream since a very young age to play baseball at the highest level possible and Stillman's scholarship offer to him allows Raper to keep this dream alive.
Raper hopes that Stillman will give him the opportunity to utilize his full skillset and plans to spend time at multiple infield positions and as a pitcher. The ability to play multiple positions and fill needs for any team he plays on allows the Tiger's coaching staff to bolster their unit on the field.
The 6-foot-2 195 pound slugger played a major part in Tuscaloosa County's successful 2022 season. The team finished the season with a record of 25-10 and place first in 7A Area 5 before falling in the first round of the playoffs to Vestavia Hills High School in two games.
Stillman College struggled during its 2022 season finishing with a record of 10-33 which opens the door for a player like Raper to do exactly what he desires and make an impact on the field immediately. Hopefully Raper can bring some of the success his high school team had with him into his first season as a Tiger.