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Tournaments  | Story  | 5/31/2018

Astros look to finish on top

Nate Schweers     
Photo: Connor Pavolony (Perfect Game)

EMERSON, Ga. – Ahead of Monday’s MLB Draft, the East Cobb Astros arrived at LakePoint this weekend for the 2018 18u Perfect Game/East Cobb Invitational with the same goal in mind: a tournament championship. The Astros completed the first step of that process on Thursday with a 6-1 win over USA Showcase Prime.

On a team that features nearly 20 Division I prospects, Connor Pavolony, a Tennessee recruit, is looking forward to competing with his teammates one more time before the draft.

Going 1-for-2 with a hard-hit single to left in Thursday’s contest, Pavolony showcases one of the country’s best arms behind the plate, and has the defensive tools and raw power to be an attractive prospect for any major league team.

“The past couple months have been up and down worrying about stuff I shouldn't be worrying about, but at the end of the day if you just play your game it all works itself out,” said Pavolony. “I’m also just trying to have some fun with my guys. Hopefully we can win a tournament and have some fun.”

A Perfect Game/Rawlings 2nd-team High School All-American in 2018, Pavolony attributes much of his success to the time he spends working off the field.

“If you don't work off the field you’re not going to get any better,” added Pavolony. “I do it to keep myself in line, and if I’m not the best player for them [teammates] I can't be the best player for me.

While Pavolony has his sights set on next week’s draft, he is a key member of Tennessee’s 2018 recruiting class that currently ranks as sixth best in the country.

“Their (Tennessee) facilities are amazing, and you know going up to a football game there its clear the support you get from the community is amazing,” said Pavolony. “The coaches are young and energetic and everything about them screams ‘lets get better’.”

This loaded Astros roster also features speedy San Jacinto CC signee Jared Hart. Hart also went 1-for-2 with an RBI in Thursday’s tournament opener, and feels that the next week is a culmination of all the hard work he has put in since joining the East Cobb organization when he was nine.

“It was a long journey just how things developed, and its just fun to see all of us grow,” said Hart. “Its good to see yourself grow. You never want to be complacent.”

The third player hoping to hear his name called during next week’s draft is Jarrett Ford. Ford is a Florida International signee and a top 200 player in the 2018 class. Ford also went 1-for-2 Thursday, and showed great plate discipline with a walk.

The East Cobb organization is no stranger to producing MLB talent, and has been the home of MLB players such as Tyler Flowers and Javier Baez. Head coach Kevin Baldwin couldn't be happier to see this next group of players fulfill their dream, and hopes they will be the next group of East Cobb players to hear their name called on draft day.

“These kids are kids that have been in our program for a long time, and I think that we pride ourselves in teaching the game to be played the right way,” said Baldwin. “However, it’s obviously the kids putting in the hard work that gets them there.”

Regardless of what happens in next week’s draft, Pavolony, Hart, and Ford are just the next three in a trend that is sure to continue in East Cobb for a long time.
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