Georgia’s high schools have a national reputation for producing football talent, and the recent crop of marquee baseball players may be equally as impressive.
The state has produced eight first-round picks in the past three years, including a record five in the 2010 draft.
Georgia will add at least two more to the prestigious list early in this year’s draft, which begins at 7 p.m. Thursday.
Loganville outfielder Clint Frazier and Grayson outfielder Austin Meadows are projected to be among the top 10-15 selections.
Here’s a look at Georgia’s recent history of first-round picks:
Delino DeShields, 2B
Drafted: No. 8 by Houston, 2010
High school: Woodward Academy
Signing bonus: $2.1 million
Status: DeShields was recruited by colleges for football, but decided to follow his father (the former major-leaguer by the same name) into baseball. DeShields is in his fourth year in Single-A (or below) and still considered the organization's No. 5 prospect. Last year, he turned heads with 101 stolen bases in 135 games. DeShields started off in the minors as an outfielder, but moved to second base (same position as father). The Astros have an All-Star second baseman in the big leagues in Jose Altuve, creating speculation that DeShields could change positions again. This season at Single-A Lancaster, DeShields is batting .288 with seven doubles, five triples and 14 stolen bases in 41 games.
They said it: "There is little question Delino DeShields is one of the most exciting players to watch in the Astros organization, although 'threatening' would be the adjective most likely used by opponents." — Ultimate Astros blog
Jake Skole, OF
Drafted: No. 15 by Texas, 2010
High school: Blessed Trinity
Signing bonus: $1.5 million
Status: Skole gave up a football scholarship to Georgia Tech and has had a rocky road with the Rangers. He no longer is listed as one of the organization's top 20 prospects. Last year, Skole was batting .185 at Single-A Myrtle Beach when he was slapped with a 50-game suspension for amphetamine use. His chances may be running out with the Rangers. This year, he's batting .196 in 47 games at Myrtle Beach again.
They said it: "Skole has been knocked around in the Rangers' farm system, and he is growing up fast. He was the Rangers' No. 1 … and now he is in danger of being overtaken by the many other talented outfielders in the Rangers' farm system." — MLB.com
Kaleb Cowart, 3B
Drafted: No. 18 by the Angels, 2010
High school: Cook
Signing bonus: $2.3 million
Status: There are huge expectations for Cowart, who was a better prospect as a pitcher coming out of high school but insisted on being drafted as an everyday position player. He currently is listed as the No. 1 prospect in the Angels' organization as a third baseman. Last season, while splitting time between two Single-A teams, Cowart showcased his potential by hitting .276 with 16 homers and 103 RBIs. This year, Cowart has struggled with his promotion to Double-A: He's batting .226 in 52 games for Arkansas.
They said it: "Cowart could be the next homegrown bat to make a huge impact in Los Angeles. The third baseman has a ton of bat speed and has the ability to drive the ball from both sides of the plate." – MLB.com
Cameron Bedrosian, 2010
Drafted: No. 29 by the Angels
High school: East Coweta
Signing bonus: $1.1 million
Status: The son of former Braves All-Star relief pitcher Steve Bedrosian is slowly trying to regain his form after arm troubles. The younger Bedrosian pitched five games in rookie ball in 2010 before having to undergo Tommy John surgery. He missed the next season while recovering, and was 3-11 with a 6.31 ERA in 2012. This year, he's 0-2 with a 6.23 ERA at Single-A Burlington while alternating between a starting pitcher and reliever. He still has enough potential to be listed as one of Angels' top 20 prospects — at least for now.
They said it: "The exploding fastball in the mid-90s has now returned. The devastating slider is back. Now, the potential that the Angels saw in the son of Steve Bedrosian is slowly coming to fruition." — AngelsWin.com
Chevy Clarke, OF
Drafted: No. 30 by the Angels, 2010
High school: Marietta
Signing bonus: $1 million
Status: Clarke has tremendous raw skills, but they have yet to materialize in four seasons with the Angels. Clarke needed three seasons to finally get out of rookie ball, and is hitting .226 with five homers and 20 RBIs in 46 games with Single-A Burlington this season.
Kevin Matthews, P
Drafted: No. 33 by Texas, 2011
High school: Richmond Hill
Signing bonus: $936,000
Status: The left-handed pitcher will miss this season after undergoing shoulder surgery for chronic pain in April. He did not pitch in a game this season. Before the injury, Matthews was quietly climbing in the organization. He was 3-4 with a 4.29 ERA in 19 games at Single-A last season.
They said it: "In some ways, this might be a blessing in disguise for Matthews," Texas general manager Jon Daniels told MLB.com. "He's struggled since we signed him, and this may be a significant reason why."
Byron Buxton, OF
Drafted: No. 2 by Minnesota, 2012
High school: Appling County
Signing bonus: $6 million
Status: It's going to be hard for the Twins to keep Buxton in the minors for long if he continues his torrid pace this season. At Single-A Cedar Rapids, he's hitting .333 with seven homers, five triples and 26 stolen bases in 52 games.
They said it: "Once he figures a few things out, I'd have to put him, in terms of speed, right up there with (former major-leaguers) Willie Wilson and Devon White," former Twins manager Tom Kelly said. "My goodness gracious, I know we're putting the cart before the horse here, but oh, boy, is he going to be entertaining." … "Honestly, I think he has a chance to be better than those two, White and Wilson," said Hall of Famer Paul Molitor, who works with Twins minor-leaguers. — StarTribune.com
Lucas Sims
Drafted: No. 21 by the Braves, 2012
High school: Brookwood
Signing bonus: $1.6 million
Status: Last year, Sims pitched exclusively as a starter in rookie ball, posting a 2-4 record and 3.71 ERA. This year at Single-A Rome, Sims began as a reliever and worked his way back into a starter's role with a 1-2 record, 3.19 ERA and two saves in 12 pitching appearances. He ranks as the organization's third-best overall prospect.
They said it: "The Georgia prep star features two above-average pitches, with a fastball that runs up to 94 mph with above-average life and a curve with a three-quarter tight rotation to it." —MLB.com
About the Author
