02/14/2012 Rebels Look To Veterans, New Faces In 2012 CampaignOle Miss Looks For Returning Players, Third Ranked Class To Meld In 2012 11/30/2011 Rebels Add Trio Of Junior College Players To Signing ClassBlunt, Turner And Wilson Ink With Rebels 11/21/2011 Rebels Add Dishon, Helsel To Signing ClassTexas, Pennsylvania Standouts Ink With Baseball Rebels 11/16/2011 Rebels Announce Addition Of Bramlett, Hensley To Signing ClassPair Of Right-Handed Pitchers Ink With Rebels For 2013 11/15/2011 Rebels Add Louisiana Trio To Signing ClassCecchini, Trahan And Waguespack All Ink With Rebels For 2013 Carl Lafferty begins his fourth season as a full-time assistant coach with the Rebels in 2011, after serving as a volunteer assistant coach in 2007 and an administrative assistant in 2006. He was promoted to recruiting coordinator prior to the 2010 season. In his first year back working on the field as a volunteer assistant in 2007, Lafferty worked with the outfielders and catchers, and assisted with the hitters. Lafferty also served as the first base coach. In his time working with the outfielders, Lafferty helped develop Jordan Henry, the 2007 SEC Freshman of the Year selection and a Freshman All-America selection. He also worked with his brother, Justin, a ninth round draft pick of the Detroit Tigers in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft. Upon moving to a full-time position in 2008, Lafferty continued to work with the catchers, but also assumed duties assisting head coach Mike Bianco with the pitching staff. In his first season as a full-time assistant, Lafferty tutored several players who went on to be drafted in the 2008 MLB Draft, including three pitchers taken in the first 75 picks - Lance Lynn (39), Cody Satterwhite (67) and Scott Bittle (75). Bittle also earned First Team All-America honors. Lafferty also worked with catcher, Brett Basham, who earned SEC All-Defensive team honors and was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 16th round. Basham led the SEC in runners caught stealing and led all catchers in runners picked off. The Rebel pitching staff also experienced incredible success as Ole Miss pitchers struck out 674 batters in 2008, leading the Southeastern Conference in batters struck out. The trend continued in 2009 as the Rebels saw 11 players drafted, eight of whom worked under the direction of Lafferty. Six pitchers and two catchers were drafted in the 2009 season, including pitchers Scott Bittle (4th round - St. Louis), Nathan Baker (5th round - Pittsburgh), Brett Bukvich (18th round - Florida), Phillip Irwin (21st round - Pittsburgh), Aaron Barrett (27th round - Texas), Chris Corrigan (30th round - St. Louis), and catchers Brett Basham (50th round - San Diego) and Kyle Henson (39th round - San Francisco). The former catcher was also responsible for helping the Rebels claim the 2009 Southeastern Conference Championship. Lafferty continued to develop top pitching talent for the Rebels in 2010, guiding a pair of arms to All-America status. Junior southpaw Drew Pomeranz was named an All-America selection while freshman right-hander Brett Huber was named a Freshman All-America selection. Both pitchers also garnered All-SEC honors. Pomeranz also went on to be named the SEC Pitcher of the Year, the first in the history of the award for Ole Miss. A finalist for the National Pitcher of the Year and the Golden Spikes Award, Pomeranz was taken by the Cleveland Indians with the fifth overall pick in the 2010 MLB Draft, becoming the highest drafted player in school history. He was one of four pitchers under Lafferty's tutelage to be drafted in 2010. Lafferty returned to Ole Miss in 2004 to complete his degree after having spent several years playing professional baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals organization. Lafferty earned his Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology from the University of Mississippi in 2004. He was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 20th round of the 2001 MLB Draft. After a short stint with the Marlins, Lafferty signed a professional contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. The catcher played two seasons (2002-03) with the Peoria Chiefs, a single-A affiliate of the Cardinals, and also played with the high-A affiliate, the Palm Beach Cardinals. A native of Pine Bluff, Ark., he played for the Rebels from 1998-2001, finishing his career in the first year under current head coach Mike Bianco. A four-time letterwinner, Lafferty hit .307 for his career with 104 RBI. He also notched 42 extra-base hits, including 16 home runs. As a senior, Lafferty was named to the All-SEC second team, becoming the schools 92nd All-SEC honoree in program history. Lafferty also served as team captain that season. Lafferty is married to the former Lauren Nelson of Baldwyn, Miss. |
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