Jacob Heyward, younger brother of Braves right fielder Jason Heyward, notified teams earlier this week that he would forego the draft and attend the University of Miami this fall, but the Braves drafted the right fielder in the 38th round Saturday as a courtesy.
“We thought it was the right thing to do,” Braves director of scouting Tony DeMacio said.
The move was appreciated by the Heywards.
“This was totally unexpected,” said Eugene Heyward, Jacob and Jason’s father. “I think the Braves are just being considerate, and I thank them for that. Jacob is good. He’ll do his thing. We’re very happy.”
Eugene said Jacob was projected to go much higher but when they learned it wouldn’t be in the first or second rounds, they thought his best route would be through college.
“Being at Miami will give him more exposure in the game of baseball, as well as his education,” Eugene said. “So we felt that would be the better place to go.”
Heyward, 6-1, 192, hit .333 with nine home runs and a team-high 42 RBIs this season at Eagles Landing Christian. He plays right field like his older brother.
“He’s going to go to school, he’s going to work hard, obviously do what he has to do school-wise,” Jason Heyward said Saturday evening in LA. “Go down and play some baseball, mature as baseball player, and we’ll see what happens in three years.”
As for his brother’s scouting report?
“He threw 94 off the mound, can run a little bit, hits for power,” Heyward said. “He’s got some growing to do. I don’t know if he’s going to be as tall as me, but as far as athleticism and all that stuff, he’s right up there with the next guy.”
Braves draft picks from Saturday
Pick Round Name Position School Ht. Wt.
343 11 Alec Grosser RHP T.C. Williams (Va.) HS 6-2, 186
373 12 Ryan Gunther RHP Charleston Southern 6-2, 190
403 13 Joseph Odom C Huntingdon College 6-2, 205
433 14 Tyler Kuresa 1B UC- Santa Barbara 6-4, 225
463 15 Matt Marksberry LHP Campbell Univ. 6-1, 195
493 16 Michael Swanner RHP Pepperdine Univ. 6-4, 190
523 17 Jared Dettmann LHP Century College 6-3, 170
553 18 Chuck Buchanan LHP Cal State-Bakersfield 6-5, 210
583 19 Jordan Sechler LHP Cal State-Los Angeles 6-2, 215
613 20 Tyler Vail RHP Temple College 6-0, 220
643 21 Tyler Brosius RHP Walters State CC 6-4, 230
673 22 Andrew Waszak RHP Michigan State 6-1, 205
703 23 Connor Oliver RF State College of Fla. 6-0, 180
733 24 Orrin Sears C Arizona Christian Univ. 6-3, 225
763 25 Reed Harper SS Austin Peay 6-2, 200
793 26 Dakota Dill RHP Sul Ross St Univ. 6-4, 215
823 27 Jake Schrader 1B Univ. of Tampa 6-2, 215
853 28 Stephen Wrenn OF Walton (Ga.) HS 6-1, 166
883 29 Tim Hergert SS Heritage (WA) HS 6-1, 175
913 30 Sterling Sharp RHP North Farmington (MI) HS 6-4, 170
943 31 Johnny Slater CF Southfield Lathrup (MI) HS 6-1, 170
973 32 Jackson Klein CF St. Ignatius (Calif.) College Prep 6-2, 185
1003 33 Trevor Sprowl 2B Shelton State CC 6-0, 185
1033 34 Mac Seibert 2B Meridian CC 6-0, 195
1063 35 Angel Perez SS Colegio San Felipe (P.R.) 6-0, 182
1093 36 Tyler Stubblefield LHP Lufkin (TX) HS 6-5, 215
1123 37 Geoffrey Bramblett RHP Hoover (AL) HS 6-2, 200
1153 38 Jacob Heyward RF Eagles Landing Christian 6-1, 192
1183 39 Francisco Cruz RF Puerto Rico BB Academy 6-2, 190
1213 40 Connor Brogdon RHP Liberty (Calif) HS 6-5, 165
