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Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Georgia High School Baseball Blog - June 10, 2008
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It was a big day for baseball in the Peach State during last week’s first-year major league baseball player draft. Three Georgians went in the top eight picks, and five players were selected in the first round.
Griffin High School’s Tim Beckham, who hit .667 during the Bears’ run to the state championship series, was selected with the first overall pick by the Tampa Bay Rays.
“One of the biggest things that a lot of people don’t see are the intangibles,” Griffin coach Jamie Cassady said. “His leadership ability, his character [and] mental makeup … those are the things that are going to make him successful at the next level. A lot of kids don’t have those extra things, but Tim’s a special kid. He became committed, and he’s fallen in love with the game.”
Four picks later, the San Francisco Giants selected former Lee County star Buster Posey, the national player of the year from Florida State.
“Posey is as close to a major league-ready catcher now,” said Baseball America draft analyst Matt Blood. “He’s strong behind the plate; he’s athletic, and he can really swing the bat.”
University of Georgia shortstop Gordon Beckham was selected with the eighth overall pick by the Chicago White Sox, completing a banner first hour of the draft for the state’s top talent. Stephens County shortstop/pitcher Ethan Martin went No. 15 overall to the Los Angeles Dodgers, and five picks later, the Seattle Mariners picked University of Georgia closer Josh Fields.
Forty-five other Georgia players were chosen. In the second round, Baltimore selected Cedar Grove outfielder Xavier Avery with the 50th pick; Atlanta chose Kell pitcher Zeke Spruill with the 70th pick, and Georgia Tech outfielder and former North Gwinnett star Charlie Blackmon was selected by the Colorado Rockies with the 72nd pick.
As usual, Spruill wasn’t the only local player selected by the Braves, who picked eight Georgia high school players. The University of Georgia had six players chosen; Georgia Tech had seven. Georgia Southern (3); Kennesaw State (1); North Georgia (1); Middle Georgia (1) and Mercer (1) were all represented.
Final AJC High School Top 10 (with final record)
1. Brookwood (34-3): Broncos win last seven postseason games, first state title since 1986.
2. Wesleyan (30-4-1): Could the Wolves beat the No. 1 team in a best-of-three series?
3. Cartersville (29-7): Purple Hurricanes win fourth title this decade.
4. Loganville (32-7): Underdogs no more: Red Devils knock off three region champs on the way to first Class AAAA title.
5. Walton (27-11): Reach Class AAAAA championship series for second consecutive season.
6. Griffin (28-8): First title series since 1981; shortstop Beckham top overall pick in MLB draft.
7. Pacelli (31-4): Columbus private school lost two games after March 18.
8. Stephens County (29-10): Reach first championship series since 1973; shortstop/pitcher Ethan Martin goes in first round to Los Angeles Dodgers.
9. Landmark Christian (27-8): Young team got to first Class A championship series.
10. Lovett (25-11): Lions won 15 straight before losing Class AA title series to Wesleyan.
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