Weatherford to bypass draft...
Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2005 8:01 am
Weatherford bypasses draft
Fairhope pitcher to enroll at Mississippi State
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
By MIKE HERNDON
Sports Reporter
Aaron Weatherford had done his homework. The Fairhope High pitcher had been to five different workouts in the last four weeks. He'd gotten as much information as he could about when he might be selected in today's Major League Baseball amateur draft, information that led him to believe he'd be taken in the fourth or fifth round. And he kept coming to the same conclusion.
It wasn't going to be enough to keep him from going to Mississippi State, with which he'd signed a scholarship in November.
So Weatherford took an unusual step. Instead of waiting until today to see how the draft shakes out, he called every club that had expressed interest in him and told them he planned to go to college instead. Then he sent a letter announcing his decision to every major league team.
Weatherford, whose fastball has been clocked as fast as 97 mph, said he thought it was the right thing to do.
"We had a very good feel for when I was going," he said. "We decided that wasn't going to be enough to make it worth missing out on a college education. I called all the clubs that were interested in me and told them my decision. I didn't want them to waste a draft pick on me."
Weatherford went 8-2 for Fairhope this season, posting a 1.44 earned-run average and 121 strikeouts. Within the past month, he had gone to private workouts for the Yankees, Marlins, Braves and Dodgers, as well as the Perfect Game USA pre-draft showcase.
"We knew from the beginning there were two good paths," said Fairhope assistant coach Alan Luckie, who accompanied Weatherford to the workouts. "We didn't leave anything unturned."
After Weatherford informed the teams of his decision, Luckie said he got a personal call Monday from Marlins general manager Dan Jennings, a Fairhope native, who told him that Weatherford's unselfish action was appreciated and would not be forgotten by the Marlins or other clubs.
"They're going to know they're dealing with a kid that has integrity," Luckie said of Weatherford. "He's doing the right and honorable thing and he's being true to himself and his own heart."
So while other Alabama high school and college players wait breathlessly for their name to called today, Weatherford will relax and prepare for freshman orientation in Starkville. He will be eligible for the draft again in three years.
"I feel good about it," he said of his decision. "I'm at peace with it."
Fairhope pitcher to enroll at Mississippi State
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
By MIKE HERNDON
Sports Reporter
Aaron Weatherford had done his homework. The Fairhope High pitcher had been to five different workouts in the last four weeks. He'd gotten as much information as he could about when he might be selected in today's Major League Baseball amateur draft, information that led him to believe he'd be taken in the fourth or fifth round. And he kept coming to the same conclusion.
It wasn't going to be enough to keep him from going to Mississippi State, with which he'd signed a scholarship in November.
So Weatherford took an unusual step. Instead of waiting until today to see how the draft shakes out, he called every club that had expressed interest in him and told them he planned to go to college instead. Then he sent a letter announcing his decision to every major league team.
Weatherford, whose fastball has been clocked as fast as 97 mph, said he thought it was the right thing to do.
"We had a very good feel for when I was going," he said. "We decided that wasn't going to be enough to make it worth missing out on a college education. I called all the clubs that were interested in me and told them my decision. I didn't want them to waste a draft pick on me."
Weatherford went 8-2 for Fairhope this season, posting a 1.44 earned-run average and 121 strikeouts. Within the past month, he had gone to private workouts for the Yankees, Marlins, Braves and Dodgers, as well as the Perfect Game USA pre-draft showcase.
"We knew from the beginning there were two good paths," said Fairhope assistant coach Alan Luckie, who accompanied Weatherford to the workouts. "We didn't leave anything unturned."
After Weatherford informed the teams of his decision, Luckie said he got a personal call Monday from Marlins general manager Dan Jennings, a Fairhope native, who told him that Weatherford's unselfish action was appreciated and would not be forgotten by the Marlins or other clubs.
"They're going to know they're dealing with a kid that has integrity," Luckie said of Weatherford. "He's doing the right and honorable thing and he's being true to himself and his own heart."
So while other Alabama high school and college players wait breathlessly for their name to called today, Weatherford will relax and prepare for freshman orientation in Starkville. He will be eligible for the draft again in three years.
"I feel good about it," he said of his decision. "I'm at peace with it."