LOGANVILLE, Ga. — As surprises go, this one was pulled off flawlessly.
Clint Frazier, the Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year for the state of Georgia and a player expected be a top-10 pick in Thursday's Major League Baseball draft, thought he was going to Loganville High School on Tuesday morning to be interviewed by future Hall of Famer and current broadcaster John Smoltz.
What Frazier didn't know was that he was also the recipient of the Gatorade National Player of the Year Award.
"I just thought I was sitting down for an interview," Frazier said. "Then I saw my family coming up behind me, but I didn't want to turn around and look because the camera was on. They had (the crystal award) and it was a total shock. I can't tell you how great it felt. I've never felt anything like it."
Frazier, an average-looking high school kid with a mop of red hair and a tendency to fidget, was a four-year starter at Loganville High, racking up statistics that more resembled a video game. He hit 63 home runs and batted over .400, scoring 53 runs as a senior with 41 RBI, all while maintaining a 3.03 GPA and volunteering as a goodwill visitor at the Snellville (Ga.) Children's Hospital.
"Having a kid like Clint is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Loganville coach Jeff Segars said. "Of course there is the talent, and he has all the tools — he can hit, he can hit for power, he has speed and good instincts — but he also has the work ethics, and the character and the drive. Nobody had worked harder in his four years here than Clint. He has passion and commitment and is willing to do whatever it takes to get better as a player. But he's also a great person who I think will do very well at the next level."
The character component that Segars mentioned is one of the biggest factors the Gatorade committee considers when whittling down their list.
"Plenty of talented kids have the on-field statistics," Smoltz said afterward. "Drafting kids has changed, and some organizations do a great job of making sure that character is at the forefront. Not all make that a priority, but when you see organizations that really develop young players of character and athleticism, it's a rare combination that we really need and you hope that young players like that really thrive."
So, will Frazier thrive at the next level? Will he blossom into the star everyone hopes?
"I feel as though I'm ready," Frazier said. "I'm certainly ready to work hard and learn and get better."
That is the right attitude for a kid, as he makes the leap from high school to the pros. But the short answer to How will he do? questions are: nobody knows.
"Obviously you have to be a good baseball player, but you can't (draft a player) solely based on that," Smoltz said. "You can't look at the stats and turn your head and look away from everything else. This day and age, it's about what have you done for me lately and what kind of freakish talent do you have. But being successful takes more than that: it takes character as well as talent.
"I've seen organizations that get that and do a great job of nurturing it," Smoltz continued. "It's wonderful when you can associate with players and organizations who understand the importance of great character."
Men of great character are not immune from temptation, however.
Frazier's high school teammates came to the school to see him get the award. Afterward, four walked through the parking lot in gym shorts and flip-flops.
"Man, I'm gonna miss Clint," one of them said. "After Thursday, he'll be a millionaire."
"First thing I'd do is buy that new Corvette," another said.
"No, man, I'd buy that new Viper," a third said. "Have you seen that thing? It's sweet!"
The four teammates climbed into a Tundra pickup and drove away, still rapping about their friend.
They were completely oblivious to the perils in his future they had just described.
