High School pitcher from North County is picked first in Major League Baseball draft

Due to the nature of baseball, both professional and college, and the realities of player development, the Major League Baseball draft is not looked upon with the same interest or historical importance as the NFL or NBA selection events. That said, there’s no denying the excitement when a high school player is selected with the number one pick. Also, the interesting aspects of the pick are only intensified when it’s known that the first pick, Brady Aiken of Cathedral Catholic High School has a brother, Kyle, who was selected in the first round of the 2012 draft.

Going back from 2010, every player ever chosen with the number one selection in the Major League draft have spent at least some time of their careers in the majors with only three exceptions. When the American League Houston Astros picked left-handed pitcher Brady Aiken they must have been feeling very secure in the belief this would not be another exception, Aiken has Major League difference-maker written all over him. He threw a 95 mph fastball with control as a high school senior. His other pitch is a nasty slider and he has a very aggressive approach to pitching.

Another pick from San Diego in the first round were Alex Jackson, a catcher for perennial power Rancho Bernardo High School. Jackson went to the Seattle Mariners with the sixth pick. As a senior in the tough Palomar League he scored 45 runs, had 31 batted in, with 11 homers and achieved a .400 batting average.

Joining Jackson and Aiken as San Diegans taken in round one was Bradley Zimmer, now a Cleveland Indian. Prior to starring at South Florida and for Team USA college national team, Zimmer excelled for La Jolla High. He got high grades in college baseball with his .368 average, 31 RBI, 21 stolen bases and 7 home runs. Playing in the Cape Cod League, Zimmer was named MVP of the playoffs.