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It’s a tough decision to decide what college to go to. But for some high school baseball players, they have to make another tough choice.
For those local high school prospects who were selected in the Major League Baseball Draft, they have two options: either take their skills to college or go to the minors and start their dreams of playing in the majors.
Ross Seaton, a pitcher at Second Baptist who was drafted with the 109th pick by the Houston Astros in the supplemental B round. Although he has committed to Tulane, the lure of playing for his favorite team might be enough to sway him to signing with Houston.
"We've seen him a lot," Astros director of amateur scouting Bobby Heck said. "There was a lot of common feeling about his ability, as well as him as a person, so there was a great comfort with him."
Cy-Fair outfielder Robbie Grossman was taken in the sixth round by the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he has already announced he will keep his commitment to play at Texas next spring.
Two Texas A&M commitments were also drafted, as Alvin pitcher Nathan Eovaldi was drafted in the 11th round by the Los Angeles Dodgers even though and underwent Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery in high school. Klein shortstop Adam Smith was taken in the 28th round by the Arizona Diamondbacks. Both players are expected to be in College Station by the fall.
Two Baytown Sterling pitchers were taken in the draft - Brett Marshall (sixth round by the New York Yankees) and Hunter Cervenka (27th round by the Boston Red Sox). Both pitchers are weighing their options, as Marshall has a Rice scholarship waiting for him, while Cervenka has one at San Jacinto Junior College.
A couple area players and Rice commits in Westside pitcher Taylor Wall and Memorial outfielder Jeremy Rathjen were both drafted by Arizona. Wall, who led the Wolves to a District 20-5A championship and one win away from the state semifinals, was taken in the 40th round, while Rathjen was taken in the 45th round. Both players are still deciding whether to go pro or join the Owls for next season.
Westside pitcher Michael Goodnight, who already committed to the University of Houston, was picked in the 27th round by the Cleveland Indians.
Kempner pitcher Kyle Winkler, a TCU commit, was taken by the Brewers in the 37th round.
Houston-area high school players selected in 2008 MLB Draft
No. 109: Ross Seaton, pitcher, Second Baptist (Astros)
No. 174: Robbie Grossman, outfielder, Cy-Fair (Pirates)
No. 200: Brett Marshall, pitcher, Baytown Sterling (Yankees)
No. 337: Nathan Eovaldi, pitcher, Alvin (Dodgers)
No. 454: Nino Leyja, shortstop, Houston Christian (Athletics)
No. 820: Anthony Rendon, shortstop, Lamar (Braves)
No. 831: Michael Goodnight, pitcher, Westside (Indians)
No. 832: Hunter Cervenka, pitcher, Baytown Sterling (Red Sox)
No. 858: Adam Smith, shortstop, Klein (Diamondbacks)
No. 878: Tommy Collier, pitcher, Cy-Fair (Brewers)
No. 1,118: Kyle Winkler, pitcher, Kempner (Brewers)
No. 1,156: Jarred Cosart, pitcher, Clear Creek (Phillies)
No. 1,218: Taylor Wall, pitcher, Westside (Diamondbacks)
No. 1,222: Samuel Stafford, pitcher, Klein Collins (Red Sox)
No. 1,365: Jeremy Rathjen, outfielder, Memorial (Diamondbacks)
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