Selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 16th round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft on July 16, former Alabama center fielder T.J. McCants started his pro career on Thursday night by hitting a home run in his first trip to the plate.

In his first game with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers, McCants started in center field batting fifth in the lineup in a Carolina League contest against the Columbia Fireflies.

When McCants came up in the second inning against Fireflies right-hander Jonatan Bernal, the left-handed hitter banged a 1-2 pitch over the fence at Segra Park.

McCants did not get another chance to bat in the game because of rain in the bottom of the third inning. But his home run was not washed out of the record book. Kannapolis and Columbia will resume the game before their regularly scheduled contest on Friday with the Fireflies leading 5-2.

Chicago chose McCants at No. 469 in this year’s draft. After joining the White Sox organization for a $75,000 signing bonus, the outfielder started his pro career in Single-A.

A transfer from Ole Miss, McCants started 56 games in center field in his only season at Alabama. He led the Crimson Tide with 14 steals (in 15 attempts) and did not make an error in the outfield. McCants had a .306 batting average, and 16 doubles, two triples and 15 home runs helped him compile 50 RBIs and a .583 slugging percentage in 56 games in 2024.

Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.