WHITEVILLE — Whiteville’s MacKenzie Gore was selected third overall by the San Diego Padres during the opening round of the MLB Draft on Monday night.
The left-handed pitcher, who is committed to East Carolina, has until 5 p.m. on July 7 to decide whether or not he will sign. The slotted signing bonus for the third selection is $6,668,100.
Gore, who guided the Wolfpack to three state titles in four years earlier this month, finished his career with a 41-2 mark and a new state record 0.35 ERA. He earned MVP honors in each state title win and was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year earlier this month.
Gore was one of seven players from the state to be selected on the opening day.
North Davidson outfielder Austin Beck was picked sixth by the Oakland A’s. J.B. Bukauskas, a junior right-handed pitcher from UNC who was named the ACC Pitcher of the Year, went No. 15 to the Houston Astros. UNC junior shortstop Logan Warmoth was picked by the Toronto Blue Jays at No. 22.
Also selected were: UNC junior outfielder Brian Miller (36th by Miami Marlins), Wake Forest junior outfielder Stuart Fairchild (38th by Cincinnati Reds), Wake Forest junior first baseman Gavin Sheets (49th to Chicago White Sox) and N.C. State junior third baseman Joseph Dunand (51st to Miami Marlins).
