(Photo: University of Kentucky Athletics)
MUNCIE, Ind. — They’re gathered here at Buffalo Wild Wings, nine miles from Wapahani High School, to watch the night their friend’s life changes forever.
Zack Thompson’s high school teammates are scarfing down boneless wings and drinking Miller Lite, and they got the bartender to turn the big screen to MLB Network for the MLB Draft. A few tables over, Thompson’s teammates from youth travel ball are staring intently at the TV.
How did Thompson – a junior pitcher from University of Kentucky – go from a scrawny teen (there’s a story about that) to a left-handed pitcher projected by most draft experts to go between 12th and 14th overall?