Local prep pair riding high

White Sox pick up Nevin Griffith while Tommy Toledo is taken by the Padres.

By Keith Niebuhr, Times Correspondent
Published June 8, 2007

TAMPA - Shortly after being taken by the Chicago White Sox with the 89th pick in the Major League Baseball amateur draft, Middleton pitcher Nevin Griffith was asked where Thursday ranked among the greatest days in his life.

"Second, " he responded. "I'd have to say second."

And what is his No. 1?

"My birth, " Griffith said matter-of-factly.

His excitement is understandable.

For Griffith, a right-handed hurler who was praised universally for his calm demeanor and high level of maturity, Thursday was the day in which his lifelong dream was realized.

"Nothing, " he said, "is more important than your dream."

Across town, Alonso ace Tommy Toledo was having similar emotions. With family, friends and his coach at the house, Toledo was following the draft via the Internet when his name popped on the screen.

He was picked in the 117th spot by San Diego.

"We were all pretty ecstatic, " Toledo said. "I definitely felt honored."

On a big day for Hillsborough County, Griffith and Toledo were the county's second and third high school players chosen. Hillsborough outfielder Michael Burgess went 49th to Washington.

"I've gotten hundreds of text messages, " Griffith said.

"My phone, " Toledo said, "has been ringing off the hook."

The 6-foot-3, 185-pound Griffith, who throws a fastball in the mid 90s and has signed with Florida International, said late Thursday he was "leaning toward turning pro." Griffith and his family will meet with White Sox representatives today.

"We haven't talked money or anything, but I hope to make a decision soon, " Griffith said.

Meantime, Toledo is in no hurry to pull the trigger.

A 6-3, 178-pound right-hander with great power and control, he will chose between the pros and the Florida Gators. Toledo, who graduated from Alonso with a 5.2 grade point average, insisted he has not ruled out playing in college, though he was informed Gators coach Pat McMahon had been fired shortly before he was drafted. That change in Gainesville, however, is unlikely to affect his decision, he said.

"It's a great school and it's got a lot of things going for it, " Toledo said.

[Last modified June 7, 2007, 23:13:28]