Georgia high schoolers take low-key approach to baseball draft
Woodward Academy outfielder Delino DeShields and Cook pitcher-infielder Kaleb Cowart have been projected as first-round selections in Monday's amateur baseball draft. However, the two Georgia high school players were unwilling to make any draft predictions on Sunday night. Both took a low-key approach to Monday's 7 p.m. event.
"Anything can happen," DeShields said. "You hear all kinds of things about where you might be drafted. Anybody can change their minds at any second, hopefully for the better. I just know I'm ready to go work hard and help which team takes me. I'm a little anxious, but I know it will all work out."
DeShields signed a baseball scholarship with the LSU, while Cowart has tentative plans to play for Florida State. Cowart has thrown 97 mph on the radar gun, but said he prefers third base to pitching.
"I'm just going to wait and see what's in store with me," Cowart said. "Whatever God sees fit, that's what will happen."
Both players will watch the draft at home with friends and family.
- South Forsyth's Zach Alvord was another local talent who has generated first-round mention. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Alvord has the rare combination of being a capable infielder with notable power (39 career home runs in Class AAAAA).
Last week, Alvord attended private workouts for the Braves and was the only player out of the 30-40 elite prospects who hit at least one home run out of Turner Field in all three rounds of batting practice.
In another workout for the Detriot Tigers, Alvord launched 18 of his 32 hits out of the park. He has signed with Auburn.
"We have 8-10 teams that seem very interested," his father, John Alvord, said. "We're more concerned about a fair offer rather than which round Zach gets drafted."
- The No. 1 overall pick was expected to be catcher Bryce Harper of Las Vegas. Connor Mason, a home-schooled pitcher from Suwanee, played with Harper on Team USA the last few years.
Mason, who has hit 94 mph on the radar gun and signed with Rice, roomed with Harper on some road trips and pitched against him in practices.
"He is always a hard out," Mason said. "I would recommend pitching around him. I mean, you have to stick to your game plan as a pitcher, and know what works for you. You go after him with your best stuff. Sometimes it works, other times it won't."
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