Where are they now? Here’s an update on the five Georgia high school players selected in the first round of last year’s baseball draft:
Delino DeShields, 2B, Woodward Academy: The son of the former major leaguer by the same name was the first Georgia player drafted, picked at No. 8 by the Houston Astros. He signed for $2.15 million. DeShields plays for the Class-A team in Lexington, Ky. DeShields is batting .215 with four home runs, 20 RBIs and eight stolen bases in 47 games.
Jake Skole, OF, Blessed Trinity: Skole gave up his Georgia Tech football career after being drafted higher than expected, at No. 15 by the Texas Rangers. Skole signed within a few days after the draft for $1.557 million. Skole was more polished than the Rangers expected, and was eventually promoted to the Class-A affiliate in Hickory, N.C. He is batting .306 with one home run and 16 RBIs in 46 games this season.
Kaleb Cowart, 3B, Cook: Drafted at No. 18 by the Angels, but was projected to go much higher. He reportedly fell because signing him would be difficult, and that proved to be true. He was the last of the five to sign and got the most, holding out for $2.3 million to give up his Florida State scholarship only 10 hours before the deadline. He already is considered the second-best prospect in the minors for the Angels. He is in extended spring training with the Angels, awaiting an assignment.
Cam Bedrosian, P, East Coweta: The son of the 1987 Cy Young Award winner was drafted No. 29 by the Angels and gave up his LSU scholarship for $1.116 million. The family celebrated with dinner at a Waffle House. Bedrosian was bothered by elbow soreness last summer and will be out until 2012 after undergoing "Tommy John" elbow surgery this spring.
Chevez Clarke, OF, Marietta: The last of three first-round picks by the Angels from Georgia high schools at No. 30. He gave up his Georgia Tech scholarship after signing for $1.089 million. Clarke has earned rave reviews with his defense, strong throwing arm, and power on offense, but he lacks discipline at the plate. He is in extended spring training with the Angels, awaiting an assignment.
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