BRADENTON (SNN-TV) – The MLB Draft got underway yesterday with Round 1 & 2, and two of IMG Academy’s stars were selected on Day one.
With their highest pick in the MLB Draft since 2010, the Washington Nationals selected 18-year-old outfielder Elijah Green fifth overall.
Green, ranked as MLB.com’s No. 3 Draft prospect, hit .462 with nine home runs, 32 RBIs and 40 runs scored in 25 games in his senior season at IMG Academy.
Green may have the best ceiling of any prospect in this year’s Draft. Despite his age, the son of former NFL Pro Bowl tight end Eric Green, is already 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, with the strength and speed to match his large frame.
Also selected from IMG by the Chicago Cubs was lefty Jackson Ferris with the 47th overall pick.
Ferris is ranked as the 19th overall prospect in the draft by MLB Pipeline. Ferris has a mid-90s fastball that touches 96-97 mph.
In his senior season at IMG, Ferris went 8-0 with a 1.33 ERA in 10 outings, striking out 103 batters in 54 1/3 innings.