Ryan Gold prepared to sign if the Jays meet his bonus demands.
http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/sports/high-school/article83221172.html
Ryan Gold was paying attention to the Major League Baseball Draft and specifically what the Toronto Blue Jays were doing.
When the Carolina Forest player’s name was called in the 27th round and the organization had picked only one other catcher in any of the previous rounds, he took it as a positive sign.
“It’s a dream come true,” Gold said after the Blue Jays selected him No. 822 overall on Saturday. “It’s a lot of hard work that has paid off. Whatever happens, and whatever I do will be in the best interest of my family. I’m ready to take on whatever comes next. I think for me and my family, I’m pretty sure that we may take the offer that Toronto gives us.”
If the range that Gold and his family gave Toronto comes to fruition and a deal is accepted, it would preclude his commitment to Coastal Carolina.
Gold signed with the Chanticleers in November, and he said he has already spoken with CCU head coach Gary Gilmore and associate headcCoach Kevin Schnall about the future.
“They are very convincing with their arguments. But they are also very supportive for me,” Gold said. “The money isn’t everything for me. I just want to play baseball. The [slotted signing bonus] isn’t the only cash that [the Blue Jays] have. They could save up. Honestly, whatever they have for me – we talked, we’ve given them a range. We’re not 100 percent sure what they’re going to offer.”
The choice between professional baseball and a team playing for a spot in the College World Series this weekend presented itself after Gold showed off a rare offensive and defensive skill set in two states.
After moving to the area from New Jersey last summer, he took over the Panthers’ starting catcher position and hit .349 with 11 doubles, two triples, three home runs and 22 RBIs. He helped Carolina Forest reach the Class AAAA Lower State finals and was named to the North-South All-Star game, although he withdrew due to a scheduling conflict.
Gold is the first Carolina Forest player drafted directly out of high school since former pitcher Erich Knab (13th round) in 2012 and the third overall in school history. Paul Hazeres was selected in the 39th round in 2001 by the Astros.
The area has had a number of other selections, as well, most notably Conway’s Grant Holmes, who was picked in the first round by the Dodgers in 2014, and Dylan Thompson, who was selected in the fourth round last June by the Seattle Mariners out of Socastee. In total, including Gold, the Grand Strand has had 17 players picked straight out of high school in more than a half century of the draft.
“Today is a great day,” Gold said. “I’m just going to enjoy it.”