Five local standouts - Luke Allen, Billy Buckner, Deunte Heath, Brian Mathews and Brandon Moss - are continuing to make a name for themselves in the big leagues.
Allen, who graduated from Newton High School, signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1996. He is an outfielder for the Double-A Jacksonville Suns.
Entering Wednesday, Allen was hitting .236 (25-for-106) with one home run and nine RBIs in 33 games. He also had 14 runs scored and 13 walks.
Buckner, a graduate of Salem High School, is from Conyers and played two years at Young Harris College, earning NJCAA All-District and NJCAA All-American honors. He also played baseball for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, and was selected in the ninth round of the 2003 free agent draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Buckner is currently a pitcher for the Triple-A Omaha Royals. Entering Wednesday, Buckner was 4-1 with a 4.18 earned run average in 13 games. He also had 28 strikeouts compared to eight walks, and was limiting hitters to a .248 batting average.
Heath, a product of Newton High School, was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 19th round of the 2006 amateur entry draft.
Heath is currently pitching for the Rome Braves. Entering Wednesday, Heath had a record of 1-2 with a 2.34 ERA in 11 games played. He also had 29 strikeouts in 50 innings pitched, and was holding batters to a .266 average.
Like Heath, Mathews also graduated from Newton High School.
Mathews is an outfielder for the Gulf Coast Dodgers. Entering Wednesday, Mathews was hitting .247 overall (40-for-162) with 12 doubles in 46 games played. He also had three home runs and 26 RBIs, including 28 runs scored.
Moss, who graduated from Loganville High School in 2002, is currently an outfielder for the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. Entering Wednesday, Moss was batting .287 (58-for-202) with nine home runs and 41 RBIs in 55 games. He also had 27 runs scored, 14 doubles and 33 walks.
Moss was 18 years old when he was drafted in the eighth round of the 2002 draft by the Boston Red Sox.
The Covington News will continue to track the progress of these players and others as the season progresses.
Allen, who graduated from Newton High School, signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1996. He is an outfielder for the Double-A Jacksonville Suns.
Entering Wednesday, Allen was hitting .236 (25-for-106) with one home run and nine RBIs in 33 games. He also had 14 runs scored and 13 walks.
Buckner, a graduate of Salem High School, is from Conyers and played two years at Young Harris College, earning NJCAA All-District and NJCAA All-American honors. He also played baseball for the University of South Carolina Gamecocks, and was selected in the ninth round of the 2003 free agent draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
Buckner is currently a pitcher for the Triple-A Omaha Royals. Entering Wednesday, Buckner was 4-1 with a 4.18 earned run average in 13 games. He also had 28 strikeouts compared to eight walks, and was limiting hitters to a .248 batting average.
Heath, a product of Newton High School, was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 19th round of the 2006 amateur entry draft.
Heath is currently pitching for the Rome Braves. Entering Wednesday, Heath had a record of 1-2 with a 2.34 ERA in 11 games played. He also had 29 strikeouts in 50 innings pitched, and was holding batters to a .266 average.
Like Heath, Mathews also graduated from Newton High School.
Mathews is an outfielder for the Gulf Coast Dodgers. Entering Wednesday, Mathews was hitting .247 overall (40-for-162) with 12 doubles in 46 games played. He also had three home runs and 26 RBIs, including 28 runs scored.
Moss, who graduated from Loganville High School in 2002, is currently an outfielder for the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. Entering Wednesday, Moss was batting .287 (58-for-202) with nine home runs and 41 RBIs in 55 games. He also had 27 runs scored, 14 doubles and 33 walks.
Moss was 18 years old when he was drafted in the eighth round of the 2002 draft by the Boston Red Sox.
The Covington News will continue to track the progress of these players and others as the season progresses.
