Well the Cardinals picked another high school player, C J McElroy. Playing for Clear Creek HS, C J had dreams playing for a major league team. Well here is his chance. C J has baseball in his blood, check out the story on him from Galveston County News:
For years, C.J. McElroy watched his father, Chuck, pitch in front of huge crowds in Major League Baseball stadiums.
Later today, McElroy’s dream of becoming a big leaguer like his father could take a big step forward.
The second day of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft continues with rounds 2 through 30 today. McElroy, the speedy outfielder from Clear Creek, is almost certain to get drafted today, perhaps as early as the second round.
“This is my dream since I was little and watched my dad play,” McElroy said. “It is something I worked hard for. It is an honor to be in this position.”
McElroy grew up in major league clubhouses. He even use to spend time in the batting cages with Cal Ripken Jr. and other stars.
Having already committed to the University of Houston to play football and baseball, McElroy said he will bypass college if he is given a good enough contract offer from the team that selects him today.
“I’ve decided that is what I am going to do,” McElroy said. “Playing major league baseball has been my ultimate goal.”
McElroy has been a two-sport star at Creek since his sophomore season. That first year, football coach Darrell Warden said he thought McElroy could be the best athlete ever to play for Creek. Baseball coach Jim Mallory also agreed it was possible.
While his football skills were becoming legendary in League City, his baseball skills were just starting to break through. As a junior, McElroy hit .319 with 17 RBIs and 19 stolen bases.
This year, McElroy turned all of his immense talent into production, hitting .488 with five homers, 20 RBIs and 46 runs. He also broke the single-season stolen base record at Creek with 33 stolen bases.
McElroy said his performance the past two seasons at Creek have helped his draft stock improve.
McElroy certainly has the bloodlines to be a professional athlete.
In 1986, the Philadelphia Phillies selected Chuck in the eighth round of the Amateur Draft. He spent a few years in the minor leagues before making his first appearance for the Phillies on Sept. 4, 1989.
Chuck pitched for nine teams in his 13-year career. He finished with a 38-30 record and a 3.90 ERA.
McElroy’s grandfather Sylvester Cooper played in the Negro League when he was a young man. He even caught Satchel Paige.
Former Astros manager Cecil Cooper also is McElroy’s uncle.
McElroy said his dad has been instrumental in the process leading up to the draft.
“He has been there and done that,” McElroy said. “He knows the situation. My mom has been doing research, too. My parents have done a good job being in control of stuff.”
Creek has produced professional talent throughout the years. Former Seattle star Jay Buhner has moniker hanging out in right field. Buhner went in the second round of the 1984 draft.
Jarred Cosart, a 2008 Creek grad, is considered one of the top minor league pitchers in the game. He is playing for Philadelphia’s Single-A franchise.
Other Creek grads playing in the minor leagues are James Wooster and Shawn Blackwell.
McElroy said he has been in heavy contact with scouts from Boston, Toronto, Cincinnati and the New York Mets.
Ultimately, he is hoping he can be drafted higher than the eighth round when he dad was drafted.
“My dad has always said I he wanted me to be better than him,” McElroy said. “That’s something I have been working hard for. I always wanted to go in a higher round.”
McElroy said on Monday that he was going to have a hard time sleeping at night.
“I am going to nervous,” he said, “but it is a happy nervous.”
source: Joshua Buckley
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