Goodwin gets Selected

Soon-to-be Rocky Mount grad Brian Goodwin heard his name called in the 2009 MLB Draft on Wednesday. The 2008 3-A State Championship MVP slipped a little lower than some around here had thought, but that is the real world and the ever changing thoughts of draft people.

Every baseball fan in Nash County had at least a passing interest in seeing where Goodwin - North Carolina's 2009 Gatorade High School Baseball Player of the Year - and his nemisis from up-county Tyler Joyner, perhaps the state's best left handed high school pitcher, were going to go in this week's Major League Baseball Draft.

Through Wednesday's selections, Tyler Joyner had not been drafted. Brian, who seemed to be destined to go in the second or maybe third round, was selected by the Chicago White Sox at #523.

FIVE-HUNDRED, TWENTY-THREE?

Really?

Nobody saw either of those numbers coming, did they? Not at all? 523? What a disappointment, I'm guessing most folks are saying. Why did they slide so far down the list, most will ask. Maybe not as good as we all thought, some may mumble.

I don't think so.

I haven't talked with Brian or his family about the draft or it's possibilities. I'm sure there were lots of conversations with scouts and teams. Brian and his family may have told folks that he was definately going to school, no matter what. Maybe he'd consider going pro if he was high enough. . . .too many possibilities to even guess.

I'm not a major league scout, so I cannot say where their talent really is compared to others drafted before them, but let's make one thing very clear. Both are as good as advertised. Brian going to UNC and Tyler to ECU. Did anyone notice which two teams faced off in the College Super Regional last weekend in Chapel Hill?

I'm thinking Brian and his family are pretty proud to say "I was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 2009".

I'm also thinking that Brian will play baseball this summer up in Ohio, then a few years at UNC, then get drafted again. In the meantime, he won't worry about that 500-something number from this week. He'll play ball. He'll get better. He'll have fun. He'll get an education, and he'll play ball some more.

In the meantime, all of us Gryphons and former Gryphons will all STILL be proud of him.

Congratulations, Brian. You are one of the very few. Knock one out of the park up in the bigs for all of us one day, will ya?

Disappointing draft? I think not.

Gryphons Senior and Chicago White Sox draftee Brian Goodwin (middle) celebrates the 2008 State Championmship with teammates. (Photo - Rocky Mount Telegram)