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Draft hits Dogs' recruits hard
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ATHENS — University of Georgia senior right-handed pitcher Adam McDaniel was selected by the San Diego Padres in the 19th round of Major League Baseball’s First-Year Player draft Friday. A total of four current Bulldogs and a school record eight members of the Georgia recruiting class were drafted this year.

McDaniel, a 6-foot-1, 208-pound native of Powder Springs, was an infielder his first two years at Georgia before moving to the mound. He went 4-1 with a 7.94 ERA in his final two seasons. Overall, he made 36 appearances on the mound and tallied 47.2 innings with 41 strikeouts and 37 walks. A dean’s list student, McDaniel earned recognition for both his academic achievements and community service efforts throughout his Georgia career. He was a member of two College World Series teams.

“I wanted to keep everything low-key today, and I was actually out playing golf with my dad when I got the call,” said McDaniel. “It was definitely exciting news and the Padres showed a lot of interest so I was really hoping they would give me an opportunity. They told me if I can get in a consistent role, play every day and not worry about wins and losses, I can be good.

“I think I’m on my way and just need some more experience on the mound,” McDaniel added. “I had a great four years at Georgia and thankful of my opportunity to go to school and play for the Bulldogs. It prepared me for the rest of my life including this next step.”

Also on Friday, Georgia senior outfielder Jonathan Wyatt was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 13th round. Redshirt sophomore right-handed pitcher Stephen Dodson was drafted in the 18th round by the Kansas City Royals. Dodson received calls Thursday during the fourth round and indicated he would remain a Bulldog but the Royals still drafted him anyway Friday.

“I’m so happy for Jonathan (Wyatt) and Adam (McDaniel) as seniors, and Stephen (Dodson) will solidify our rotation, and we’re pleased about that,” said Georgia coach David Perno. “We’ve got some great kids who have worked hard during their career and to see where they came in and now where they got drafted makes us feel good. It has been fun to watch them develop and hopefully, we’ve been a positive impact on them.”

Neither Wyatt or McDaniel were drafted out of high school and McDaniel made the transition to pitching after his sophomore year.

Six Bulldog signees were drafted Friday bringing the total to a school record eight for this recruiting class: Shortstop/pitcher Ryan Acosta (Clearwater HS, Safety Harbor, Fla.) 12th round by the Cubs; right-handed pitcher Justin Grimm (Virginia HS, Bristol, Va.) 13th round to Boston; right-handed pitcher Will Harvil (Young Harris JC, Smyrna) 17th round by Tampa Bay; right-handed pitcher Kevin Rhoderick (Horizon HS, Scottsdale, Ariz.) 18th round by Detroit; outfielder Lyle Allen (Cartersville HS, Cartersville.) 22nd round by Atlanta; infielder/catcher Edmond Sparks (Lovejoy HS, Hampton) 23rd round by Atlanta.

On Thursday, Bulldog junior right-handed pitcher Joshua Fields was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the second round (69th overall). Also, Georgia signee Ben Revere (OF, Lexington Catholic HS, Lexington, Ky.), was selected in the first round (28th overall) by the Minnesota Twins while Bulldog signee Isaiah Froneberger (LHP, Forest Park HS, Forest Park), was drafted in the fourth round (132nd overall) by the Colorado Rockies.

Revere is the younger brother of former Georgia Southern University quarterback and outfielder J.R. Revere.

Georgia football signee Israel Troupe, a 6-1, 200-pound outfielder out of Tift County, was drafted in the 31st round (942 overall) by the Rockies.

“Coach (Jason) Eller has done a phenomenal job as recruiting coordinator, and this is shaping up as the best class we’ve ever signed,” said Perno. “Now, we will have to wait and see if it has the most impact. We have to see about getting them to campus and then continue to develop them on and off the field.”