It seemed all too appropriate that — nearly 24 hours after learning he had been selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 14th round of baseball's amateur draft — K.J. Hockaday stood on the sixth floor of the Warehouse at Camden Yards, overlooking a field he might one day call home. The 18-year-old John Carroll shortstop slid on a fitted, flat-brimmed Orioles hat and smiled.
"It's been a dream ever since I've been 3 years old to get picked by [the] Baltimore Orioles," he said. "All my hard work that I put into it … I'm happy to see that it paid off."
Today, Hockaday was among 30 high school seniors chosen for the 30th annual Brooks Robinson High School All-Star Game — the only postseason game to feature the best players from each region of Maryland. The North team, led by Gilman coach Larry Sheets, will play seven innings against the South team, guided by St. Michaels coach Brian Femi, after the Orioles' 1:35 p.m. game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday.
"It's certainly an honor to be part of a tradition that's featured many of Maryland's great baseball players," Calvert Hall outfielder Justin Fratantuono said, echoing a sentiment many players shared. "And to have my name part of that history, it's definitely an honor."
To make either team, players had to compete in the Maryland State Association of Baseball Coaches Classic on May 29 at Maryland. In the Classic, players from the northern and western regions of the state faced each other, while players from the southern region took on players from the eastern region. The team is picked by paying members of the MSABC, any of whom can cast one vote for the final rosters, according to Mount St. Joseph coach David Norton, who has served as chairman of the game since 1987.
Loyola's A.J. Lardo likely felt comfortable playing in College Park in the MSABC Classic. The speedy outfielder was one of several players present to commit to play at Maryland in the fall. Sherwood pitcher Will Bouey, Severna Park third baseman Brent Jones, C. Milton Wright catcher Bobby Ruse, Kenwood pitcher Shane Campbell and possibly Hockaday (if he does not sign a professional contract) agreed to play for coach Erik Bakich next season.
"It's just going to be fun to be able to have the opportunity to play together for another four years. It's going to be great," Lardo said. "If K.J. decides to sign with the Orioles, then I'd be real happy for him, but hopefully he'll come to Maryland. It's going to be really fun, it's going to be a great opportunity."
Hockaday said he remains a Terrapin for now but will assess his options once the Orioles make an offer. He said getting drafted by the O's was "breathtaking" and that "it'd be a dream come true if [he and the Orioles] could reach terms."
Other local players to make the North squad include: Reservoir pitcher T.J. Pipik, the Baltimore Sun's Player of the Year; Westminster catcher Cody Harman (first-team All-Metro); Dulaney first baseman Eric Upton (first-team All-Metro); Calvert Hall outfielders Matt Bosse (first-team All-Metro) and Fratantuono; C. Milton Wright's Ruse (second-team All-Metro); C. Milton Wright catcher Andrew Clow (second-team All-Metro); John Carroll first baseman Brendan Butler (second-team All-Metro); Atholton shortstop Kory Britton (second-team All-Metro); and Mount St. Joseph outfielder Patrick Rogers.
Archbishop second baseman Ryan Metzer (first-team All-Metro) and Severna Park's Jones (first-team All-Metro) were among the 15 players selected for the South team. Metzer's double-play partner, Archbishop shortstop Kory Britton (second-team All-Metro), is an alternate for the South team.