Georgia Tech's Bart picked 2nd overall in MLB Draft

ATLANTA - Georgia Tech catcher Joey Bart is now the highest-drafted Yellow Jacket baseball player in program history. The Buford High School alum was picked second overall by the San Francisco Giants in the first round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

"It wasn't long before they picked me, so I was really nervous, I didn't know what was going on," said Bart. "I had a weird feeling about the Giants. As soon as I saw [the text], I looked at my dad and winked at him and he knew. I don't think anyone else knew."

Bart, named a first-team All-American by several outlets, was widely projected to be among the first few selections in the draft.

"San Francisco is where I wanted to go," said Bart. "It couldn't have worked out any better."

The Giants have some history with Georgia-born catchers: Leesburg, Georgia native Buster Posey is a five-time All-Star with the club.

"I know Buster Posey is an extremely good baseball player, so that comparison is very humbling," said Bart. "He'll be the catcher probably as long as he wants to be, he's that good. I'd love to get out there, learn a few things from him and look forward to being there when he's done."

As the second overall pick, Bart joins Kenny Anderson (1994 NBA Draft) and Calvin Johnson (2007 NFL Draft) as the highest-picked Yellow Jackets in any major professional sport.