Nelson picked ninth over in baseball draft

<p>The wait is over for Chris Nelson.</p><p>The Colorado Rockies took the Redan High School shortstop in the first round of Monday's baseball draft, making him the ninth overall selection.</p><p>"It's a relief to get the draft over with and find out where I am going to go," Nelson said. "I'm hoping I will be able to sign quickly, because I am ready to play ball."</p><p>As a senior at the metro Atlanta school, Nelson batted .582 with eight home runs and 36 RBIs, and he added 25 steals. The 18-year-old had reconstructive elbow surgery last fall, but still was rated the fourth-best available prospect by Baseball America.</p><p>Milton High School third baseman Eddie Prasch was taken by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the third round, while teammate Dexter Fowler dropped to the Rockies in the 14th round. He was projected to go in the late first round or early second round.</p><p>Brandon Boggs, a junior outfielder at Georgia Tech, was the first college player from the state to be picked. He went to the Texas Rangers in the fourth round.</p><p>"You can't predict where you're going to get drafted," Boggs said. "You just have to take it as it goes, and I'm happy to be going to Texas."</p><p>Three of Boggs' teammates also were selected Monday, when the draft reached the end of the 18th round. Right-handed pitcher Andrew Kown (Detroit) and catcher Mike Nickeas (Texas) went in the fifth round, and second baseman Eric Patterson (Chicago Cubs) was taken in the eighth round.</p><p>Patterson's older brother, Corey, plays for the Cubs.</p><p>The Atlanta Braves took University of Georgia catcher Clint Sammons in the sixth round, and added four more players with ties to the state:</p><p>_ Left-handed pitcher Johnnie Wiggins (221st pick) is from Stockbridge and played at Brewton Parker College.</p><p>_ Right-handed pitcher Jeffrey Long (371st) is from Smyrna and played at Gardner Webb University.</p><p>_ Outfielder Jon Owings (521st) played at Gainesville High School. He's the younger brother of Georgia Tech star Micah Owings.</p><p>_ Infielder Bradley Emaus (551st) is from Coweta High School in Senoia.</p><p>In the 17th round, the Cleveland Indians picked University of Georgia second baseman Marshall Szabo.</p>

http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/6/167204