Milligan lands one of Georgia's top catchers

By Ben Davis
Elizabethton Star

It's no secret that Georgia, like much of the Southeast, is a hotbed of talented prep baseball players.

And Milligan College recently landed one of the finest from the 'Peach State'.

Garren Palmer, a senior catcher at Dalton (GA) High School, signed with the Buffs on Friday and will join Nathan Meade's club next fall.

"I'm excited about joining the program," said Palmer. "I really like the coaching staff. Everyone has been great."

Palmer's statistics last season, his junior year, were remarkable.

He batted .524 and recorded a .594 on base percentage. Even more impressive is the fact he hit .667 with runners in scoring position.

Palmer received numerous awards after the 2008 campaign, including the Dalton Daily Citizen All-Area Player of the Year honors.

"It has been a great experience," Palmer said of his high school career to this point. "I feel like it has helped me get ready for the next level."

Palmer's athletic achievements extend beyond the diamond. He was a standout linebacker for the Dalton football team as well.

But it's baseball that he has chosen to pursue in college; and the Buffs couldn't be happier.

"We are real excited," said Meade. "We are looking for him to come in and make a big contribution right away. We think he is capable of making a huge impact early on."

As impressive as Palmer, who is the son of Gary and Kathy Palmer, is on the field, he is equally outstanding in the classroom. He has accumulated a 4.28 weighted GPA at Dalton.

"He is a great fit all-around, athletically and academically, for us," Meade said. "We are excited about not just the athlete we are getting, but the person we are getting as well. He is a great kid."

Milligan finished 24-24 overall in the 2008 regular season, Meade's second year at the helm.

The Buffs also earned a victory in the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament, beating Bluefield College 7-6 in their second game of the post-season.