Mundy’s Mill graduate Rashad Crawford wasn’t the first player selected from the state of Georgia and he wasn’t the last either. But the 6-foot-3 center fielder was one of the players drafted from the state during the MLB First-Year Player Draft last week.

With the 344th pick in the 11th round, the Chicago Cubs chose Crawford on June 5.

“He was just thankful for everything—the opportunity he had to play under me and for the things he learned Mundy’s Mill baseball coach Patrick Smith said.

When Smith got the news from Crawford’s father that afternoon, he was on the football field but had to take a personal timeout.

“I was quite elated,” Smith said. “I couldn’t focus there for a minute. I was calling plays, but had to let the head coach take over because I was so excited.

“I was just happy for Rashad and it was just a relief knowing the kid has finally been picked up,” Smith said. “He worked so hard in the spring.”

Crawford was also the first Tiger selected since Miguel Starks (pitcher) was chosen by the Los Angeles Angels in the 32nd round of the 2008 draft.

“I told him I was extremely proud of him and he deserves everything that is coming to him because he worked extremely hard and that is what happens,” Smith said.

Last season while also playing third base, Crawford batted .507 with three home runs, scored 41 runs and stole 22 bases.

He plans to forgo his commitment to Tallahassee Community College and enter the Cubs’ minor league system.

Former Landmark Christian player and current Georgia Tech center fielder Kyle Wren was also drafted. The rising junior was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the 30th round.

“I was excited because that was the first time I had been drafted,” Wren said. “It was nice to finally get that recognition of how much work you’ve put in.”

However unlike Crawford, Wren will not enter the Reds’ minor league system but play another season with Georgia Tech.

“They understood and said they kind of expected it too,” Wren said. “They told me if you change your mind we will be happy to accommodate you in the minor leagues.”

Wren, who batted .256 with 22 RBI, 16 stolen bases and 56 runs last season, plans to improve in every area and add at least 15 pounds of muscle before the 2013 season.