Two Ga. high school baseball players drafted in first round

Georgia's high school baseball got major props from major-league baseball in the first round of the draft Tuesday.

Cartersville High outfielder Donavan Tate was drafted No. 3 overall by San Diego, the first position player selected from the college or high school ranks. Trailing closely behind was East Paulding's Zack Wheeler at No. 6 overall by San Francisco, the second high school pitcher drafted.

Later in the round, Kennesaw State pitcher Chad Jenkins was picked at No. 20 by Toronto.

However, it was the state's high school talent that was the big story of the draft. Two homegrown players drafted in the top six spots, just before the Braves picked at No. 7.

"I was sitting there kind of excited, not really knowing what was going to happen," Tate said. "They said my name, and it was kind of surreal for a minute, knowing they just called my name on TV."

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound Tate said he was surprised to be drafted by the Padres, despite the team showing up at nearly every one of his practices and games during his senior year.

Tate said he did his best to tune out the scouts while leading Cartersville High to its second Class AAA championship in a row.

"We are excited to have the player who we feel has the biggest upside in the draft," said Padres director of scouting Grady Fuson in a statement. "Donavan is an incredible athlete with all the tools to play this game at the highest level."

Tate is the son of former Georgia and NFL tailback Lars Tate and has signed a football scholarship with North Carolina. Perhaps the most interesting thing Tate said Tuesday was that, despite his ultra-high selection, he was still considering attending North Carolina.

"I don't know what I am going to do. I haven't thought about that," Tate said. "I guess at a certain time I'll have to make the call and decide what I'll do then, but there is no guarantee at this moment."

Meanwhile, Wheeler likely will forgo his baseball scholarship to Kennesaw State. The 6-3, 185-pound right-hander, who has been clocked as high as 98 mph, hinted this week that he was headed in that direction if he was picked in the top 10.

Wheeler would've liked to be drafted by the Braves one pick later, but he wasn't complaining. "Whatever happens, happens. I guess it was meant to me to go to San Fran, and I'm excited about it. I'm just ready to play."