It wasn't anything of Ruthian proportions, but in a matter of speaking, Kyle Wren called his shot from a hotel in Columbus, Ohio, last month.
The Georgia Tech outfielder, who had been taken by the Cincinnati Reds as a draft-eligible sophomore last year (30th round), was initially skittish about the prospect of playing for the hometown Braves (and his father, Atlanta general manager Frank Wren), either as a high school pro prospect in 2010 or after the 2012 college season (turning down a chance to sign with the Reds).
In previous years, "no," the younger Wren admitted before a Georgia Tech-Ohio State game in May. "But now it's different, because I kind of feel like I've proven myself again."
Fast forward to Friday, as the Braves invested a high pick (No. 253 overall, 8th round) on the junior Wren, who ranked second in batting average in ACC play (.400) and batted .360 for the season, while grabbing all-conference honors as a left fielder (second team).
Wren (two homers, 50 runs) also led the ACC in hits (98), while taking second in conference play with steals (28) and triples (six).
Put it all together, and Wren is another multiple-tool asset in a long line of Georgia-connected prospects drafted by the Braves — a list that, in recent years, includes Jason Heyward, Brian McCann, Adam Wainwright, Jeff Francoeur, Macay McBride, Alex Wood, Robby Hefflinger, Zeke Spruill, Josh Fields, Cory Gearrin and Steve Janas, the junior pitcher from nearby Kennesaw State who was taken at No. 193 on Friday.
The Braves made their draft class even more of a family affair on Saturday when they selected Jacob Heyward, the younger brother of Jason Heyward, in the 38th round.
As a senior at Eagles Landing Christian Academy in McDonough, Ga., he led the Chargers to the Class A-Private state championship this spring and has a commitment to play for the University of Miami next fall.
Heading into Saturday, seven players with Georgia Tech ties (including Wren) have been selected in this week's Major League Baseball draft:
Team: Arizona Diamondbacks (3rd round, 88th overall)
2012 Stats: 17 HR, 66 RBI, 55 Runs, 6 Steals, .342 BA, .436 OBP
Team: Kansas City Royals (4th round, 114th overall)
2012 Stats: 14 HR, 66 RBI, 47 Runs, .361 BA, .430 OBP
Team: Detroit Tigers (5th round, 156th overall)
2012 Stats: 9-5, 2.78 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 122/35 K-BB
Team: New York Yankees (8th Round, 254th overall)
2012 Stats: 1 HR, 30 RBI, 49 Runs, 9 Steals, .321 BA, .406 OBP
Team: Baltimore Orioles (2nd Round, 37th overall)
Team: Colorado Rockies (8th Round, 229th overall)
