CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Campbellsville University third baseman Chris Curley chose to forgo his senior season and sign a free-agent contract with the Atlanta Braves Aug. 2, becoming the first player from the 2009 NAIA World Series team to sign with a Major League Baseball franchise.
Curley was named the Mid-South Conference Player of the Year and a Second Team All-American as a junior, hitting .403 with 19 home runs. In his three-year career at CU, he broke records for home runs in a single season (19), career home runs (37), career hits (219) and career RBI (163). His career batting average is .386.
A native of Ft. Mitchell, Ky., Curley went undrafted in the MLB draft. Despite disappointment, Curley continued to play this summer for the Thunder Bay Border Cats of the Northwoods League – his third summer with the Cats. He helped lead them to the 2008 Northwoods League Championship and is the Cats all-time leader in home runs and RBIs. His season this summer was cut short after suffering a broken hand.
Curley has been assigned to the Atlanta Braves single A team in Danville, Va., and is expected to be invited to the Braves Fall Instructional League after the season.