Brandon Zajac throws to the plate at Walker Valley High School in this file photo.
Myles SmithChase Brookshire is in Pennsylvania, Brandon Zajac is in Cleveland awaiting a decision from the San Francisco Giants, and Myles Smith has been in negotiations.
Drafted in the 20th round of the major league baseball draft by St. Louis on June 8, Brookshire talked with the Cardinals the next day, a Sunday, and was on a flight for State College, Pa., the next day.
“We play literally on the campus at Penn State,” the left-handed pitcher said. “If you’re out in center field, Beaver Stadium towers over the press box.”
Brookshire, a four-year starter at first McCallie and then Belmont University, isn’t the only area player who has signed and moved on.
From Lee University, Jose Samayoa has signed with the Rangers and now is with their Arizona League affiliate and fellow pitchers Alex Moore, Andy Hillis and Clint Terry all signed with Milwaukee. Lee coach Mark Brew said Moore and Terry were assigned to the Brewers’ Arizona League team and Hillis to their short-season Class A team in Helena, Mont.