Four 6-4-3 DP Baseball players honored with selections in 2016 MLB Draft - 6-4-3 Athletics

Posted: Jun 13, 2016

Marietta, Georgia

Being selected in the MLB Draft is a tremendous accomplishment and honor for hardworking, talented and dedicated young men. The MLB Draft also offers a tremendous source of pride for the 6-4-3 DP Baseball organization when one of our own is validated with an opportunity to become a professional baseball player.

The 2016 MLB Draft held over this past weekend was a historic one for the players of 6-4-3 DP Baseball. For the first time in the 6-4-3 organization’s history, four players (HS and college) were selected in the same draft: Georgia Gwinnett College senior Josh Merrigan, Pope High School senior Matt Rowland, Mercer University junior Charlie Madden, and Allatoona High School senior Grayson Harbin. Since 2008, thirteen players within the 6-4-3 DP Baseball organization (including 2016 draftees) have been selected in the MLB Draft. 2016 is the fourth consecutive year that a 6-4-3 player/alum has been drafted. The 2016 MLB Draft was significant and exciting in the following ways for 6-4-3 and its players.

2016 marks the first time in 6-4-3 DP Baseball history that four players (high school seniors or alums in college) were selected in the same MLB Draft.

2016 marks only the second time in 6-4-3 DP Baseball history that two 6-4-3 players were selected out of high school in the same draft:

2016 – Matt Rowland (11^th Round, Atlanta Braves) and Grayson Harbin (35^th Round, New York Mets)

2010 - Kent Emanuel (19th Round, Pittsburgh Pirates) and Andrew Smith (40th Round, Oakland A's)

2016 marks the third time in 6-4-3 DP Baseball history that two 6-4-3 alums in the college ranks were selected in the same MLB Draft:

2016 – Josh Merrigan (10^th Round, Texas Rangers) and Charlie Madden (25^th Round, Chicago White Sox)

2015 – Stephen Moore (10^th Round, Atlanta Braves) and Zack Bowers (24^th Round, San Francisco Giants)

2013 – Kent Emanuel (3^rd Round, Houston Astros) and Jared Breen (24^th Round, Baltimore Orioles)

2016 marks the second consecutive year in 6-4-3 DP Baseball history that a former 6-4-3 player was selected by our hometown team - the Atlanta Braves - in the MLB Draft: 2016 – Matt Rowland & 2015 – Stephen Moore

Prior to this year’s draft selections, 6-4-3 has seen nine former players earn a selection in the MLB Draft:

Year	Player	High School	Round	Team
2015	Stephen Moore, RHP	Walker	10^th	Atlanta Braves *Fulfilling Military Service (A)
2015	Zach Bowers, C	Harrison	24^th	San Francisco Giants (A)
2015	Chris Cullen, C	West Forsyth	38^th	Oakland Athletics *Currently at South Carolina
2015	Dylan Kelly, C	Centennial	FA	Arizona Diamondbacks
2014	Michael Branigan, C	Forsyth Central	22^nd	Arizona Diamondbacks (A)
2013	Kent Emanuel, LHP	Woodstock	3^rd	Houston Astros (A)
2013	Jared Breen, SS	Sprayberry	23^rd	Baltimore Orioles
2010	Mathew Price, RHP	Walker	8^th	Boston Red Sox
2010	Andrew Smith, RHP	Roswell	40^th	Oakland Athletics
2009	Derek Thomas, OF	Roswell	44^th	Boston Red Sox

Key: (A)- Active Status FA- Free Agent Signee