Five high school baseball players from Georgia were drafted in the second and third rounds of the 2015 MLB Draft in Secaucus, N.J.
The Seattle Mariners picked Nick Neidert, a right-handed pitcher from Peachtree Ridge High, in the second round with the 60th pick. At 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, Neidert is somewhat undersized for a pro pitcher, but he has incredible arm speed and can get his fastball up to 96 mph.
According to Baseball America, the signing bonus allotted for the 60th pick is $1,025,900. Neidert is committed to play at South Carolina, but he told the Seattle Times he’ll likely sign with the Mariners.
Eight picks later the Baltimore Orioles selected Jonathan Hughes, a right-handed pitcher from Flowery Branch High. Also 6-1, 185, Hughes throws his fastball mostly 89-93 mph with some cut and sink. MLBPipeline.com ranked him the No. 188 prospect in the draft. He may have to adjust his mechanics in the minors, as his high-three-quarters delivery gives batters lots of time to track the ball.
The signing bonus for the 68th pick is $907,000, according to Baseball America. He committed to play at Georgia Tech.
With the 70th pick, the Los Angeles Angels selected Jahmai Jones, an outfielder from Wesleyan. Jones hit .464 with four homers, seven RBIs and 24 stolen bases in his 20-game senior season. He’s thought of as a well-rounded outfielder whose compact swing will serve him well in the pros.
Baseball America reports the signing bonus for the 70th pick is $879,500. Jones, 6-0 and 210, is committed to play at North Carolina. The Orange County Register’s Mike DiGiovanna tweeted that the Angels shouldn’t have much trouble signing him.
Now to the third round, where shortstop Jalen Miller was finally selected 95th by the San Francisco Giants. Miller, from Riverwood, was the No. 35 draft prospect, according to Baseball America.
He hit .444 and had a 1.353 OPS to go along with five home runs, 17 RBIs, 10 stolen bases and three errors in his 22-game senior season.
Scouts like Miller’s skills at shortstop and said he has a legitimate shot to stay in the infield as a pro. He has a line-drive swing that should only improve with time in the weight room.
Baseball America projects the 95th pick will get a $598,300 signing bonus. Miller, 6-1, 185, is committed to play at Clemson.
The Oakland Athletics drafted North Forsyth’s Dakota Chalmers two picks later. Chalmers, a 6-3, 175-pound right-handed pitcher, is another Georgia prospect to fall down the boards; Baseball America ranked him the No. 34 draft prospect.
Chalmers went 4-4 with a 1.50 ERA in 12 appearances in 2015. He recorded 82 strikeouts and 37 walks in 51.1 innings pitched. Opposing batters hit .166 against him.
Chalmers is most known for his fastball, which usually clocks in at 90-94 mph, and an above average set of breaking balls.
He’s set to get a $586,900 signing bonus, according to Baseball America. He committed to play at Georgia.
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