ATLANTA (WCYB) — Two baseball players with ties to the Tri-Cities were selected on the first day of the Major League Baseball draft.
Providence Academy standout Josh Owens was picked in the third round, 84th overall, by the Texas Rangers.
Just 12 picks later, the Atlanta Braves selected ETSU shortstop Cody Miller.
Liam Doyle was the first of a program-record eight players selected in the opening three rounds of this year’s draft for the Tennessee Volunteers.
Vols Head Coach Tony Vitello, who was in Atlanta as part of the Major League Baseball Network telecast, said that success is a testament to the program they’ve built in Knoxville.
“It’s such an emotional day no matter who you are, whether it’s one of your players or one of your kids or you’re the kid that’s thinking about it,” said Vitello. So, in a roundabout way it’s a good seat to be in but it kind of, kind of keeps it out of context, until it’s all over, so I’m looking forward to touching base with all those guys. And truly, probably getting emotional about it.