As mentioned earlier, our very own Gordon Beckham and Joshua Fields have been selected in the first round of this year's MLB first-year draft, as they were selected 8th and 20th overall. Fields has recently been named the top closer of the year after his stunning season where he accrued 16 saves, captured the SEC all-time save lead, and pitched 56 strikeouts, not to mention his amazing 0.0 ERA streak. Beckham is looking for a trophy of is own as he awaits the final tallies of the Golden Spikes Award, similar to football's Heisman Trophy.
Silently, however, another Bulldog was chosen in the second round of the draft, 50th overall. That other Bulldog, Xavier Avery, may never even put on the "G" and run out onto Foley Field. Or Sanford Stadium, for that matter. The two-sport athlete signed his letter of intent earlier this year to play both football and baseball, a la Israel Troupe, for the Bulldogs. As good as he would have looked in the Red and Black, it appears he will be donning the
orange and black for the Baltimore Orioles instead. 50th overall out of high school is too promising for a young man with a bright future to hold out on the opportunity. Sure, we all feel that a college education is key these days, but with his talents and promise, we all hope he'll do just fine.
In other news, Georgia Sports Blog has a
great article on the Wolfpack and their bullpen and starting pitching rotation that sounds quite formidable. As hot as our bats are right now we will hopefully be fine, but the 'Pack should pack a punch at the mound.
DawgBone.net also has a
handful of good baseball news about Gordo, Fields, Avery, and the upcoming weekend.
And remember, first pitch for the weekend series is tomorrow, Friday, at 12:00 pm. If you can't make it like me, you can catch it on ESPN. We know their presence will be known in and around Foley, but hopefully ESPN gives a shout out or two to the right field brew crew up there at the Greenhouse and Brickhouse.
