When Lakeview Academy baseball coaches Deuce Roark and John Simpson entered the room where Ralston Cash’s family had gathered to view the second day of Major League Baseball’s draft Tuesday, Simpson asked Cash if he had heard anything about when he might get picked.
The question was quickly answered, but not by Cash.
At that exact moment, a voice came through the speakers: “With the 78th pick, the Los Angeles Dodgers select Cash, Ralston of Lakeview Academy.”
“It was instantaneous, one of those moments I’ll never forget.” Roark said.
“It all just worked out in the best way,” Cash said.
The way everything seemed to come together Tuesday has left Cash fairly convinced that he will be signing with the Dodgers.
“Most likely the big chance is that I’ll be minor league bound,” he said.
Previously Cash had given a commitment to the University of Georgia and was unsure about whether he would take a major league contract or go to college.
“But with everything working out the way it did and the Dodgers being a great organization, I just feel like I need to go do it,’ he said.
Adding to his sense that the situation is perfect, is the fact that Cash’s cousin, Ethan Martin, is in the Dodgers’ minor league system. Martin was a first-round pick for the Dodgers in 2008 out of Stephens County High.
Family is important to Cash, and the Cash family is important to Roark, who also coached one of Cash’s older brother, Tony.
“Being around that family is something that I will always treasure,” Roark said. The coach stated that “it was a wonderful experience” to be there with the Cash family and to “watch a lot of hours of hard work pay off for a young man.”
“(It was) a true, unbelievable moment in a kid’s lifetime,” Roark said.
That moment left Cash in a state of disbelief.
“It’s still shocking to me,” he said. “It hasn’t hit me yet, it really hasn’t.
“I’m sure when I get alone, I’ll definitely be praising God and crying my eyes out.”
It may not have sunk in for Cash, but it certainly has for his family.
Shortly after his name was announced, Roark stated that a lot of the Cash family was “getting autographs and (Cash) was signing baseballs for little cousins.”
Hopefully for the right-handed pitcher, signing baseballs might become a common practice.
After being told at the beginning of the season that he would probably go somewhere in the fourth through sixth rounds of the draft, Cash compiled some excellent statistics over the season improve his draft position.
During his senior season with the Lions, Cash struck out 79 batters in 47 innings, while walking just 15. He finished with a 4-4 record and a 2.68 ERA. He also led the team in hitting with a .469 batting average, 11 home runs and 39 RBIs.
If he does choose to go pro, he’ll have a head start in his wardrobe.
“I told him that since all of his stuff had L.A. on it from Lakeview, he’s already good to go,” Roark said with a laugh.
The question was quickly answered, but not by Cash.
At that exact moment, a voice came through the speakers: “With the 78th pick, the Los Angeles Dodgers select Cash, Ralston of Lakeview Academy.”
“It was instantaneous, one of those moments I’ll never forget.” Roark said.
“It all just worked out in the best way,” Cash said.
The way everything seemed to come together Tuesday has left Cash fairly convinced that he will be signing with the Dodgers.
“Most likely the big chance is that I’ll be minor league bound,” he said.
Previously Cash had given a commitment to the University of Georgia and was unsure about whether he would take a major league contract or go to college.
“But with everything working out the way it did and the Dodgers being a great organization, I just feel like I need to go do it,’ he said.
Adding to his sense that the situation is perfect, is the fact that Cash’s cousin, Ethan Martin, is in the Dodgers’ minor league system. Martin was a first-round pick for the Dodgers in 2008 out of Stephens County High.
Family is important to Cash, and the Cash family is important to Roark, who also coached one of Cash’s older brother, Tony.
“Being around that family is something that I will always treasure,” Roark said. The coach stated that “it was a wonderful experience” to be there with the Cash family and to “watch a lot of hours of hard work pay off for a young man.”
“(It was) a true, unbelievable moment in a kid’s lifetime,” Roark said.
That moment left Cash in a state of disbelief.
“It’s still shocking to me,” he said. “It hasn’t hit me yet, it really hasn’t.
“I’m sure when I get alone, I’ll definitely be praising God and crying my eyes out.”
It may not have sunk in for Cash, but it certainly has for his family.
Shortly after his name was announced, Roark stated that a lot of the Cash family was “getting autographs and (Cash) was signing baseballs for little cousins.”
Hopefully for the right-handed pitcher, signing baseballs might become a common practice.
After being told at the beginning of the season that he would probably go somewhere in the fourth through sixth rounds of the draft, Cash compiled some excellent statistics over the season improve his draft position.
During his senior season with the Lions, Cash struck out 79 batters in 47 innings, while walking just 15. He finished with a 4-4 record and a 2.68 ERA. He also led the team in hitting with a .469 batting average, 11 home runs and 39 RBIs.
If he does choose to go pro, he’ll have a head start in his wardrobe.
“I told him that since all of his stuff had L.A. on it from Lakeview, he’s already good to go,” Roark said with a laugh.