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Pinellas County almost had two players go in the first dozen picks Tuesday.
Former Northside Christian star Lastings Milledge, arguably one of the most talked about high school players in the bay area during the past three years, was taken 12th by the Mets.
A year ago, Milledge was hailed as the top high school junior in the country by Baseball America.
But starting with his expulsion from Northside Christian after being accused of inappropriate behavior with a minor girl (no charges were filed) then a slow start this season at his new school, Bradenton Lakewood Ranch, he took a tumble in the ratings.
But Milledge batted over .400 at the Class 5A school and hit 10 homers while leading it to the state title. After winning, he expressed frustration over his much-analyzed life, saying he felt everyone looked at him like he was a criminal.
The 6-foot outfielder is hoping for a fresh start with the Mets. Though he has signed with Manatee Community College, he likely will sign with the Mets.
SECOND TIME AROUND: Although he was predicted by many analysts to be taken between the third and fifth rounds, Steve Doetsch knew to expect the unexpected.
The former Dunedin standout had first-hand knowledge of how much an inexact science the draft can be. Expected to be picked somewhere between the second and fifth rounds last year, Doetsch slid to Philadelphia in the eighth.
So when Doetsch tumbled again, this time falling to the Braves in the 14th round, he took it in stride.
In fact, he was quite thrilled.
"I heard that I might go higher, but this was the best thing that could have happened to me," Doetsch said. "The Braves are a great organization, and I'm really excited to play for them."
Doetsch did not share the same sentiment about the Phillies. He had an acrimonious relationship with the club after he was drafted and opted to play with Indian River Community College.
"I just didn't like the way (the Phillies) handled things," Doetsch said. "I felt like I wasn't treated fairly."
Doetsch said he had an inkling the Braves were interested in him. The organization frequently sent scouts to IRCC games to keep tabs on two of Doestch's teammates, Cooper Osteen and Danny Collins, both draft-and-follows. Doetsch got their attention by batting .387.
"I went into the draft thinking whatever happens, happens," Doetsch said. "It really turned out for the best. I can't wait. I want to sign quickly and start playing."
SECOND CHANCE: Former Mitchell and Palm Harbor Little League standout Tyler Clippard, one of Pasco County's top pitchers before off-field problems ended his senior season early, spent the day with Dunedin's Ryan Harvey and Joey Angelberger.
After celebrating Harvey's No.6 selection with his former teammate, it was his turn as he was taken in the ninth round by the Yankees.
"I'm very excited," said Clippard, a left-handed pitcher who was the 274th pick overall. "It's a great organization, and I like that I'll be able to start off locally here in Tampa."
The Yankees gain is USF's loss. Though the Bulls signed Clippard, he said he won't be showing up on campus in August.
"I love everything about USF, and I really would like to play there," Clippard said. "But getting drafted where I did, especially by the Yankees, I'm going to have to pass (college) up."
ONE AND ONLY: Armwood shortstop Brandon McArthur was the only Hillsborough County player selected, going in the fifth round to the Twins.
McArthur, who hit .419 this year with a 7-3 record and 1.34 ERA, had set a personal deadline of being drafted by the sixth round or he would take it as a sign he should continue with his plan to play at Florida next year.
He was 10 picks away from turning off the computer when his name was called.
AFTER HARVEY: East Lake's Chris Coghlan, a St. Petersburg College signee and the top hitter in Pinellas this year, was picked in the 18th round by Arizona.
Coghlan, a shortstop for the Eagles but picked as a catcher, said he expects the Diamondbacks want him to be a draft-and-follow. He said he probably wouldn't accept any offer unless the money is in the 10th-round range.
"I'm just happy that I got picked," said Coghlan, who said he expected to go higher. "If you had asked me if I would be picked in the 18th round at the beginning of year, I would have never thought of that."
- JOHN C. COTEY, MIKE READLING, BOB PUTNAM, GREG AUMAN