GHC Charger Geekie drafted by Braves
Dalton Geekie has been officially drafted by the Atlanta Braves. Geekie was a sophomore on the GHC baseball team playing OF/RHP and sporting the number 3. He is originally from Powder Springs, GA, where he graduated from McEachern High School.
AS SEEN IN THE DAILY-TRIBUNE: Braves pick pitchers with Cartersville ties
Dalton Geekie
A pitcher whose fast ball zips along occasionally as high as 95 miles per hour has become the first Georgia Highlands College baseball alumnus to be drafted by Major League Baseball.
Geekie, a right hander, was drafted in the 22nd round on Wednesday by the Atlanta Braves. GHC head baseball coach Mike Marra said Geekie played two years for Georgia Highlands and now has a scholarship waiting for him at Columbus State.
“Of course now he has to decide if he wants to play for the Braves or take the scholarship,” Marra said.
The coach said Geekie is an athlete.
“He’s a member of our first signing class,” he said. “He gave us a good two years.”
He said Geekie generally throws in the 91-93 mph range although he has been clocked as high as 95.
“He has the fast ball, a changeup and a curve ball,” Marra said. “He also has a good heart. If you wanted someone to represent your community or your program, he’s one of the ones you’d pick.”
The coach said he’s also excited because if Geekie plays in Atlanta, it will be easier to follow his career and even watch him play at the next level.
“Who knows, he could be playing in Rome next year and then Gwinnett and, finally, Atlanta,” he said.
The 6-foot-6-inch Geekie said he was not caught unaware by being drafted.
“The Braves called me and we had been talking a lot,” he said.
But hearing his name called during the draft was still special.
“It was indescribable,” he said. “It’s an amazing feeling knowing all your work has paid off. Now it’s time to work even harder, really.”
He said he was to meet with Justin Clark, a scout, later Wednesday to discuss the issue.
“I’ll see if the money’s there,” the McEachern graduate said. “If it’s not I’ll go to Columbus.
“It’s a win/win situation for me. Either way I get to go to a place where I can play baseball. Either way I just want to go play baseball.”
Geekie said he is honored to be the first player from Georgia Highlands to be drafted, crediting its coaching with helping him improve his game.
“If I’d gone anywhere else I don’t think I’d be sitting here a potential Atlanta Brave,” he said.
He didn’t say if he’s always been a Brave fan. However, he added, “I’m a Braves fan now.”
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