After playing just eight games this past college season, Mississippi State’s Brandon Turner didn’t know what to expect from the major league baseball draft last week.

Representatives from the Florida Marlins are expected to be at the Turner household later this week, though, after picking the middle infielder in the 12th round Friday.

“For having not played much this year, it was surprising to go that early,” said Mike Turner, his dad and his former coach at Walker Valley High School.

Brandon had worked out for some of the clubs.

“From what the scouts saw and then from his workout, I guess they were satisfied with what they saw,” Mike said.

“We talked with several and he went to several workouts, but with him not playing very much, we weren’t expecting anything,” said Kathy Turner, Brandon’s mother.

Brandon was finally shelved by the Mississippi State coaching staff after trying three times to come back from a pulled hamstring.

“He just kept reinjuring the hamstring,” Kathy said. “They brought him back, but you could tell that he couldn’t run full speed. After two or three times of resting him and bringing him back, they decided to shut him down.”

He had just 23 at-bats this season. Last year as a redshirt freshman he hit .399 with three home runs, a triple, 13 doubles and 48 RBIs in 51 games. He started 38 games at shortstop, 12 at second base and one as the Bulldogs’ designated hitter.

“He could get hurt. You’re taking a chance either way you go,” Mike Turner said. “It’s a tough decision for a kid, even if he is 21 years old. We’re giving him some advice and going to let him make up his own mind.”

Brandon has options. The 2008 season was to have been his sophomore year, but he is eligible now for a medical redshirt that could give him three more seasons in Starkville.

“We’re going back and forth, trying to negotiate a little bit, but it is pretty close. He could get drafted the next three years, but they like to get you when you’re young,” Mike said.

Ron Polk, the Bulldogs’ coach for 29 seasons, retired following the season, and that might influence Brandon’s decision. The new coach is John Cohen, leaving the University of Kentucky.

“He loved Coach Polk, but he knows that Coach Cohen definitely did a great job at Kentucky,” Mike said. “Brandon talked about him taking that team from scratch to a Southeastern Conference power.

A four-year starter and two-time all-state pick for Walker Valley, Brandon was the Times Free Press all-area player of the year and a high school All-American after his senior season, when he hit .536.

Boggs faces Bailey

Former Dalton High School star Mitchell Boggs will make his first major league pitching start tonight in Cincinnati in a matchup with former Chattanooga Lookout Homer Bailey. Boggs pitched two innings against Houston last Friday and allowed an earned run after being called up from Class AAA Memphis.

SportSouth is televising tonight’s game.

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