June 7, 2005

Columbia, S.C. – University of South Carolina shortstop Steven Tolleson was drafted as the 165th pick overall by the Minnesota Twins in the fifth round on Tuesday in the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft. Tolleson batted .296 this season with six homeruns and 46 RBIs. The 46 RBIs were the second best total by a Gamecock in 2005. He was 20-of-23 in stolen bases and had a fielding percentage of .938. He was one of two Gamecocks this season who played in all 64 games.

In 2003, Tolleson batted .302 with three homeruns and 19 RBIs in 55 games. Defensively, he recorded 47 putouts with eight assists, and two errors for a fielding average of .965. In 2004, he hit .316 with four homers and 25 RBIs in 52 games. He tallied 62 hits with 14 of them being doubles and scored 40 runs.

Tolleson, a native of Spartanburg, S.C., came to USC in 2003 from Dorman High School. He is the son of former major leaguer Wayne Tolleson who played with the Rangers, White Sox, and Yankees.