Emeel Badie Salem, Jr. (born February 11, 1985 in Birmingham, Alabama) is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He bats and throws left-handed, and primarily plays center field. Salem attended the University of Alabama from 2004 to 2007 and received many awards while playing for the Alabama Crimson Tide baseball team. He was also awarded for his achievements as a student-athlete, including becoming the first college baseball player to win the Lowe's Senior CLASS Award in 2007 after achieving a 3.85 grade point average from his freshman to senior years in college. Salem was drafted as a junior at The University of Alabama in the 10th round of the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft by the Baltimore Orioles, but opted to return for his senior year. Following his final season, he was drafted in the 6th round by the Tampa Bay Rays, signing a professional contract in June 2007. He has primarily played center field, however, Salem has played left field, right field and designated hitter. Amateur career Salem attended Mountain Brook High School in Mountain Brook, Alabama and later the University of Alabama. During his freshman season at Alabama, Salem batted .304 with 16 runs, 21 hits, two doubles, one home run, 11 runs batted in (RBIs) and five stolen bases in 41 games. In 2005, Salem's sophomore season, he batted .277 with 31 runs, 56 hits, four doubles, three triples, 14 RBIs, 13 stolen bases and seven caught stealing in 59 games. After the 2005 season, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League. On May 1, 2006, during his junior season, Salem won the Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week awarded by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper, and was named Southeastern Conference (SEC) Player of the Week. At the end of the season, Salem was awarded the Southeastern Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year award as voted upon by the 12 SEC head coaches. As of May 23, 2006. he was double majoring in marketing and Spanish and sustained a 3.9 grade point average. In 2006, Salem was selected as a First-Team ESPN Academic All-American, First-Team All-American (American Baseball Coaches Association), and the First-Team All-SEC team. On the 2006 season, he Salem batted .356 with 67 runs, 101 hits, 14 doubles, seven triples, two home runs, 32 RBIs, and 36 stolen bases. In the 2006 Major League Baseball