Heritage High School pitcher Cole Wilcox announced Tuesday via Twitter that he is going to bypass the opportunity to turn professional and will attend the University of Georgia.
The 6-foot-5 right-hander, a Team USA 18-under member, went undrafted in Monday's first and second rounds despite being ranked the No. 19 prospect in the draft by mlb.com. Tuesday, before the start of the third round, he posted on Twitter, "Thank you to all the teams who showed interest in me, but I've decided to go home. We have some unfinished business to take care of in Athens."
Wilcox, who committed to UGA following his freshman season, had an 8-2 record this prep season with a 1.67 ERA and in 58 2/3 innings pitched allowed 39 hits and struck out 87 batters with 11 walks. At the time of his signing earlier this year Wilcox had stated that it had been his lifelong dream to play for the Bulldogs, something the family had made known to interested professional teams.
» Mercer University junior Robert "Conard" Broom was drafted in the 10th round by the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday. The Gordon Lee High School graduate was the 313th overall selection.
The 6-1, 190-pound right-handed pitcher was named to the Baseball America All-American third team this season after posting a 1.70 ERA and striking out 111 batters in 74 innings for the Bears. His biggest highlight was a six-inning, 12-strikeout performance in a win over No. 1-ranked Florida.
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6296; follow on Twitter @youngsports22.