Former Huntingdon All-American to play in exhibition game against Braves

By Wesley Lyle

Sports Information Director

ROME, Ga. – Former Huntingdon All-American catcher Joseph Odom is one of 25 minor league players selected to play in an exhibition game against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday.

Odom, a 13th-round draft choice by the Braves last June and the highest draft pick in Huntingdon history, will be a member of the Future Stars team that will take the field in front of a sold-out crowd at State Mutual Stadium in Rome, Ga.

The game is set for 2:05 p.m. Eastern.

Former Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox, who will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame this summer, will serve as the Futures manager.

"It's going to be an exciting experience," Odom said. "It's going to be cool to meet Bobby Cox and to be behind the plate with guys like Evan Gattis and Freddie Freeman coming to bat.

"To be one of 25 minor league guys on the same field with the big league guys, in front of a sold-out crowd, it's wild when I stop and think that a year ago I was playing college ball and just able to watch these guys on TV."

Following the game, Odom will report to the Braves' high-Class A affiliate in Lynchburg, Va. Odom is one of just three 2013 draft picks (and the only position player of the three) to be assigned to the Lynchburg Hillcats.

"We're all really proud of him," Huntingdon baseball coach D.J. Conville said. "Coming out of Rookie ball and getting sent to high A, that's very good. I know he is excited about the opportunity.

"The things that made him a leader for us, the fact that he is a good player and a good person who has a great work ethic and approaches the game with the right mindset, those are the things that are continuing to help him. He's a guy you want to see succeed."