Spring is in the air, the GHSA baseball season is off and running, and the Major League baseball season is nearly upon us. On that note, let’s take a look at some of the top high school baseball prospects from around the state.
Donavan Tate, Cartersville: Tate is not only a great baseball player, he is a superb athlete. He has committed to North Carolina to play football, but he is pegged by some as the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s MLB draft. The senior centerfielder has decided to play baseball, for now. Cartersville coach Stuart Chester knows that he has a great player and a grounded young man. “For me, I think his strengths come from within. His character on and off the field is the strength of Donavan Tate,” said Chester. “He gets stopped for autographs and he never mentions it, he’s handled all the attention very well.” Donavan has had a number of memorable games over his high school career. As a sophomore, he single-handedly pushed his team to a win against Parkview with two homeruns. In the same game, he made a game-saving, diving catch, and got up and threw out the runner, who was tagging up from third base. In an all-star tournament last summer, Tate was a triple short of hitting for a cycle. He hit .410 with seven home runs and 25 RBIs last season. He bats leadoff for the Purple Hurricanes and plays defensive back in football. Sounds a little like a certain former Brave, Deion Sanders.
Luke Bailey, Troup: Bailey is ranked No. 7 in this senior class according to the Baseball America Prospect Handbook. The senior catcher is a shoe-in to go in the first round of the draft. However, he is leaning more towards an opportunity to play at Auburn University. As a catcher, Luke controls everything on the field, and his defensive skills are his greatest attribute. “Luke understands the game of baseball far better than most high school ball players,” said Troup assistant coach Jamie Schmitt. “Luke’s greatest strengths are his defensive ability, his knowledge of the game, and his ability to hit for power.” That power was demonstrated last year when he hit .505 with 13 home runs and 61 RBIs. Bailey also knows how to play hurt. He played with a broken rib through the first half of last season and still managed to set five school records and lead his team to the state playoffs.
Zack Wheeler, East Paulding: The Dallas product is the top senior pitching prospect coming out of Georgia and is ranked No. 6 overall, according to the Baseball America Prospect Handbook. The right-hander stands at an intimidating 6-foot-4 and has an array of pitches including a vicious fastball that he can throw up to 95 mph. He also has a nice curve ball that he throws consistently between 78-80 mph. Last season he went 8-3 with a 1.31 ERA and 127 strikeouts. This year he had a game with 15 strikeouts against North Cobb. He has the opportunity to go to Kennesaw State on a baseball scholarship, but will almost assuredly enter the ‘09 draft. Wheeler resembles the Detroit Tigers’ Justin Verlander on the mound, both in style and stature. Major league pitching coaches should not have a hard time developing this raw talent. Zack’s brother Adam was drafted by the Yankees in 2001.
Cam Bedrosian, East Coweta: A player that will probably go in the 2010 draft is junior pitcher Cam Bedrosian from East Coweta. If that last name sounds familiar, it is because he is the son of former Atlanta Brave Steve Bedrosian, who is now the pitching coach for his son’s team. The right-hander is already being projected in the first round in next year’s draft. He has a fastball that can travel from 92-95 mph, and that number will only increase as he gets older and stronger. According to many scouts, Cam has the best stuff of any high school junior in the country. He has helped his team earn a 10-2 record so far this season. In a recent game against Chapel Hill, Bedrosian had 14 strikeouts, and he only allowed one hit against Morrow in a 12-0 win. Against Hiram, he pitched five innings, struck out 13 batters and was part of a combined no-hitter in the 8-0 win. As a freshman, Bedrosian was part of a senior-heavy pitching staff that combined for three no-hitters, but he held his own and earned a starting job. As a junior, he is now one of the team leaders.
Deighton can be reached at jdeighton@scoreatl.com.
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