Despite Being Drafted, Dodson and Troupe Likely to Remain in Athens

The Diamond Dogs continue to be well-represented in the major league baseball draft, as four current Georgia players and eight Red and Black baseball signees have been chosen by big league teams. (Bear in mind that this is unlike the N.F.L. draft, inasmuch as being chosen by a professional club does not automatically signal the end of a player's college career . . . so relax; the Bulldogs' baseball signing class is being complimented, not decimated.)

Aside from Joshua Fields and Jonathan Wyatt, the Classic City Canines' noteworthy draft picks include the following:

• Sophomore right-handed pitcher Stephen Dodson was taken in the 18th round by the Kansas City Royals. Although interest in the Georgia hurler was expressed as early as the fourth round, Dodson informed his professional suitors of his intention to remain on campus for the 2008 season.
• Senior right-handed pitcher Adam McDaniel was chosen in the 19th round by the San Diego Padres after a four-year Georgia career that included two College World Series appearances and 36 pitching performances, in which he tallied 41 strikeouts and surrendered 37 bases on balls.
• Finally, since I know he's the one you've all been waiting to hear about, Bulldog football signee Israel Troupe was selected in the 31st round by the Colorado Rockies, who used the 942nd overall pick to get him. In other words, it's a pretty good bet the incoming freshman out of Tift County High School will be catching footballs for the Red and Black rather than catching fly balls for, say, the Asheville Tourists in the Rockies' farm system. Bulldog Nation, you may now exhale.

Go 'Dawgs!