Monday, June 6, 2011
Posted: 10:57 p.m.Updated: June 7, 12:25 a.m.
By John R. Finger
CSNPhilly.com
There is nothing quite like draft day for a ballplayer. For those lucky enough to have their name called and have the dream of playing Major League Baseball that much closer, draft day is about as good as it gets.
But for Larry Greene, the strong slugger from Berrien County High School in Nashville, Ga., draft day was a little more emotional than it is for most young players. For Greene, 2011 has been like no other. Call it a bittersweet day for the high school senior ready to step out on his own.
Selected by the Phillies as the 39th overall pick in the first round of Mondays MLB first-year draft, Greene is still mourning the loss of his mother, who died the day after Christmas. As difficult as it was for a young man to lose his mom at such an age, Greene continued to polish his credentials as a big-league prospect while also turning down some pretty unique offers at the same time.
In addition to being the best high school slugger in the draft, Greene was offered a full ride to play linebacker at the University of Alabama. Thats no small thing considering Alabama has produced football hall of famers and a Heisman Trophy winner that played linebacker.
At 6-foot-1 and a solid 235 pounds, Greene wants to be a baseball player and the Phillies selected him on Monday night intent on helping him achieve that.
MLB
We think hes a left fielder, said Phillies director of scouting Marti Wolever. Hes playing center field in high school, but he projects to be a corner outfielder with above-average power.
Wolever said Greene is similar to Phillies top hitting prospect Jonathan Singleton, only with more power. He projects to be an average left fielder who can catch whats hit to him.
We thought he was the best option for us right here, Wolever said. With a left-handed bat like thatwe spent a lot of time and did a lot of work with himwe thought he was the best option for us.
His high school stats looked like they came from a video game. In his junior year he batted .531 with 15 homers and 51 RBIs. In 30 games during senior year he improved slightly, batting .562 with 18 homers and 52 RBIs. He also walked 37 times.
He is a man amongst young men, Wolever said. He is really strong and powerful and just really a good athlete.
He also was rated the 75th best player in the draft by Baseball America and the seventh best corner outfielder. However, some draft publications indicate that Greenes stock dropped because of an ankle injury suffered during his senior year.
Even Greene says he was a little surprised he was chosen so high and by the Phillies, too.
I knew I was good, but I didn't think I was this good, he said during a conference call after the draft.
As far as signing the kid and getting his pro career underway, Wolever is positive it can get done quickly. Still, Greene has an option or two. Though he spurned football at Alabama, Greene committed to Chipola Junior College, located in Marianna, Fla. What makes this attractive to certain draft picks is that they can play for a season, improve their stock and jump right back into the draft the next year.
The sooner we can get done the better for us and for him, Wolever said.
Im thinking Ill be in Philly, Greene said.
Greene attended the draft day ceremony at the studios for MLB TV in Secaucus, N.J. with his dad, Larry Greene Sr. When his name was finally called his mom was not far from my mind, who was a diabetic, the family said.
Hes had a tough year, Wolever said. We saw him play a lot and he plays hard. Hes a good kid.
Next, the Phillies have the No. 66 pick which will come early in Tuesdays proceedings. Rounds 2 through 30 will run through approximately 6 p.m. on Tuesday with rounds 31 to 50 wrapping up on Wednesday. The Phillies will be looking to fill some needs, perhaps at the middle infield positions and catcher, but wont hesitate to go after the best athlete on the board.Related: Pirates take Cole with top pickPhillies' Brown gets his crack against lefty pitching
E-mail John R. Finger at jfinger@comcastsportsnet.com