Clifton Park — For the second time in as many years, folks in and around the Capital Region had their eyes glued to their television sets to see which Major League Baseball team would draft their favorite son.
Last year, it was Niskayuna product Garett Whitely who captured the local spotlight when the Tampa Bay Rays drafted him 13th overall.
This year, the local prize up for grabs was Shenendehowa High school pitcher Ian Anderson, who will also play college ball at Vanderbilt(if he puts MLB on hold). In the weeks leading up to the draft, some mock drafts had the Shen ace going within the first 10 picks, while others modestly said somewhere in the 1st round.
Thankfully, fans didn’t have to wait long. Anderson was drafted 3rd overall by the Atlanta Braves.
Ian Anderson has been taken 3rd overall in the 2016 MLB Draft by the Atlanta Braves @ian_anderson15 @ShenAthletics pic.twitter.com/tOJ5sl5Kc2
— Connor Hall (@518SportsCHall) June 9, 2016
No. 3 for Ian Anderson. The hometown reaction didn’t disappoint. pic.twitter.com/p2p2wnKamu
— Michael Kelly (@ByMichaelKelly) June 9, 2016
With the angst of being drafted finally behind him, Anderson told the world on national television “he is excited to play for the Braves with their strong farm system and new stadium coming in 2017.”
It will certainly be a quick turnaround for Anderson. This Saturday he will be working to bring the State Championship back to Shen.
