Local players prepare for MLB Draft

It could be the shortest, and longest, day of Spencer Adams' young life so far.<br /> <br /> The recently-graduated White County hurler is among several northeast Georgia players that could be selected in Thursday's Major League Draft.<br /> <br /> The selections by the 30 Major League teams will begin at 7 p.m. with first round selections, and Adams is on some early mock draft boards as being a first round selection.<br /> <br /> Adams, along with Michael Gettys of Gainesville, drew attention from virtually every national scout during the high school season. Now, it's down to trying to while away the time as the clock ticks down on what is usually a life-changing event.<br /> <br /> "Go play golf and have lunch with some friends and just try to kill time," Adams said about his plans for Thursday. "It's been going a little slow to get here and hopefully (Thursday) won't be even slower. We're having a draft party at my house later. It'll feel a lot shorter once it's over, I'm sure."<br /> <br /> Adams, a lifelong Atlanta Braves fan, said he would be fine with any team that would have him.<br /> <br /> "I don't care (who picks me)," he said. "It has been my dream to play professional baseball and hopefully someone will draft me and I get that chance. It would be cool if the Braves took me but really I'll be thankful to any team that does." <br /> <br /> A MLB.com mock draft has Adams (RHP) going to the Cincinatti Reds with the 29th pick. Adams, a Georgia-signee in the event things don't go as planned, was dominant all season for the Warriors. He was just 4-2 but had a eye-popping 0.72 ERA and 90Ks in 52 innings and was victim to a struggling offense most of the season. At times during the season Adams was clocked with a 95-97 mph fastball.<br /> <br /> "He didn't let the offensive struggles get to him," White County coach John Brown said. "He's got all the tools to be a great pitcher I feel. He's got a tremendous slider as well for a high school pitcher."<br /> <br /> Brown was not 100 percent certain but did not think any player from White County has ever been selected in the first round.<br /> <br /> "If he gets taken that high I'm sure he would be the highest White County player ever taken. To go in the first round is awesome," Brown said. "It would be exciting for all of us if he goes that high. He's a great kid and still developing."<br /> <br /> Lately, the attention has turned toward college players like former Winder-Barrow High standout Max Pentecost, who has helped lead Kennesaw State into the Super Regional round of the NCAA baseball playoffs. Pentecost (C) led the FBS division in home runs (23) and was second in batting average at .423 heading into the playoffs last week.<br /> <br /> A mock draft by MLB.com has Pentecost going to the Arizona Diamondbacks with the 16th overall pick. But, he could go as high as fourth overall to the Chicago Cubs by some reports.<br /> <br /> Gettys, a standout for Gainesville, was tagged by some baseball publications as a possible top 10 pick early in the season. The Georgia-signee outfield prospect is mentioned throughout the mock draft by several teams with interest. MLB.com, however, does not have him being taken in the first round. He is listed as the 37th overall top prospect by MLB.com.<br /> <br /> The Texas Rangers (30th pick) and the Atlanta Braves (32nd) both expressed interest in Adams and Gettys if available and their No. 1 choices were already gone.<br /> <br /> Gainesville coach Jeremy Kemp said Gettys would be a fine addition to any team's system.<br /> <br /> "He has worked so unbelievably hard for this day," Kemp said. "Whichever team drafts him is getting a great kid who pours his heart-and-soul into this game. I am very excited for Michael to have this opportunity."