When Major League Baseball’s 2021 draft kicks off Sunday during All-Star weekend, once again, prospects projected to be selected in the first round will be from Georgia and fresh off the high school graduation stage. Winder Borrow’s Brady House, North Cobb’s Harry Ford and North Oconee’s Bubba Chandler are all projected to be selected in the first on Sunday, and if taken, would mark the second time since 2016 three or more Georgia high school grads would be first round selections.
House, a 6-foot-4, 215 pound short stop is listed as the potential No. 8 selection, a pick held by the Colorado Rockies, has impressed scouts with his power at the plate as well as how he makes the right adjustments to the breaking ball. Scouting reports also predict House could see a change to third base in the majors, however his athleticism very well could see him remain at short stop. House has committed to Tennesse.
Listed as the No. 13 projected pick is North Cobb’s Harry Ford, a 5-foot-10, 200 pound catcher, who is committed to Georgia Tech. Scouts consider Ford the best all-around catcher from Georgia to be taken in the first round, drawing comparisons to Craig Biggio. A Georgia Tech commit, scouts have been impressed with Ford’s bat speed as well as his agility and quickness behind the plate. The Philadelphia Phillys currently own the rights to the 13th pick.
Bubba Chandler rounds out Georgia high school grads projected to be taken in the first round. Chandler, a Clemson commit, will have a decision to make should he be taken by the Chicago Cubs with the 21st pick, where he is projected to be selected. The dual sports athlete originally committed to Georgia but later de-committed and committed to Clemson where he would have the opportunity to play baseball and football, in which he plays quarterback. A 6-foot-3, 200 pound right handed pitcher and switch hitting short stop, Chandler has impressed scouts with increasing his fastball from 88-93 mph to 92-95 mph. With the Braves having the 24th pick in the draft, Chandler could be the one home grown selected by the Atlanta as they do have needs for depth in right handed pitchers and middle infield.
