CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. -- In two years, Chaney Rogers might have to make another major decision regarding his future, but for now the Gordon Lee High School athlete is content to know his baseball career will last beyond his prep days.
Rogers, who just completed his sophomore year, committed this week to play at the University of Georgia. A lifelong Bulldogs fan, Rogers accepted the offer from coach Scott Stricklin shortly after visiting the Athens campus.
"I've always wanted to go there, always loved it," said Rogers, who also had offers from Georgia Tech and Florida State, as well as interest from several other Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference programs. "It means a lot to me to be able to commit this soon. I knew where I wanted to go, so once I got the offer I was pretty set on it. It's nice not to have to worry about it anymore."
Rogers, a left-handed pitcher and first baseman, helped lead the Trojans to a GHSA Class A runner-up finish as a freshman and into the Class AA quarterfinals this past season. After batting .321 as a freshman and striking out 61 batters in 43 innings pitched, Rogers hit .371 this year with a .533 on-base percentage while winning six games with a 1.18 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 47 innings in the regular season.
Recruiters have known about Rogers for years. He was the Travelball Select 13-under national player of the year and this year was listed among the top 100 Major League Baseball draft prospects for the 2017 draft by MLB Prospect Guide.
Gordon Lee coach Mike Dunfee said the 6-foot, 170-pound Rogers has the right makeup to make UGA recruiters look good and to continue to draw the attention of MLB scouts.
"The kid is special," Dunfee said. "More importantly, he's a good kid all around, so that's the kind of player you want. His character and the way he carries himself goes way beyond baseball.
"As far as talent goes, the sky's the limit. He's been playing big-time ball since he was 9 and 10 years old. He's played against the best all around the United States. He's only going to get bigger, stronger and faster."
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296.