Alex Wilson walked out on the outfield grass at Landrum’s baseball field June 6. The former Cardinal pitcher has spent the last three years pitching for Wofford College, but as he stood on his old stomping grounds, his past was on his chest and his future was on his head.
Wilson was wearing a Cardinals T-shirt, but on his head was an Atlanta Braves hat. The former Cardinal was taken in the 15th round of the Major League Baseball draft last week by the Braves.
For Wilson, who grew up a Braves fan, it was a dream come true. The draft day experience was something he said he’ll never forget.
“It was awesome,” he said. “It really was. All of my family was around.”
Wilson had turned down offers from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the ninth round and the Philadelphia Phillies just after the tenth.Wilson was able to get a larger signing bonus and get drafted by the team he wanted at the later pick.
Wilson is just the second Cardinal to ever be picked up in the MLB draft.
Former Cardinal Travis Henson coached Wilson for most of his high school career and Henson was beaming with pride.
“I’m very proud of Alex,” Henson said. “He’s a tremendous athlete and an even greater person. He continues to work at his craft.”
Current Cardinal coach Ray McCallister was excited as well. McCallister was an assistant coach for Wilson’s entire Landrum career.
“They’re getting a guy that has all the ability in the world and has worked to get to where he is at,” McCallister said. “He’s just showing what a little hard work can get you.”
It also proves that it doesn’t matter how big or small of a school you come from, you can make it to the “Bigs,” McCallister said. “You just have to have a dream and work hard to accomplish that dream.”
Wilson will head to training camp in Orlando as early as next week to start the journey that he hopes will lead him to the dream of all baseball players.
“Hopefully (this journey will lead) to the major leagues,” he said. “It’s a process. It’s worth pursuing to give it a shot.”