When the Yankees drafted Grote Friday, the former star from The Woodlands was set on attending the University of Texas on a baseball scholarship. But when the Yankees offered third-round dollars after drafting Grote, his dream of becoming a professional baseball player came true.
It just didn't quite happen the way Grote expected.
There were indications Grote would be picked by the Minnesota Twins on the first day of the draft, but the two parties could not agree on dollars.
"You're always a little disappointed when things happen that you're not expecting," Grote said. "They tell you one thing and then it just doesn't happen, but I understand the situation. This is a business and they are making business decisions. The truth is that I was in a win-win situation with the University of Texas and a baseball scholarship behind me, but sure, I was a little disappointed at not being drafted earlier."
On the morning of the draft, Grote and former teammate Eibner took some time to play a round of golf.
"We just didn't want to be sitting around waiting on the draft to start," Grote said. "We were both excited and we just wanted to get away and not have to watch everything that takes place before the draft. Waiting for the draft was certainly not the most enjoyable thing - it might have been the worst. Now that it's over, a lot of weight has been lifted off my back."
Eibner moved to Texas two years ago. A member of the 2006 TWHS 5A state and national champion squad and also the state-ranked 2007 squad, he was taken with the 141st overall selection.
"I'm definitely pumped," said Eibner, who had a small viewing party at his home with family and close friends. "It's the hometown team. I love it. Most kids don't get to do that. ...I told (the Astros) I would sign."
Eibner said playing on the 2006 TWHS team with Kyle Drabek, who was picked in last year's first round by the Phillies, was a big help to him.
"I learned a lot from him," said Eibner.
Eibner moved to The Woodlands before his junior year from North Carolina after his father was transferred. He became a starter in left field on last year's national title team in the game right before the playoffs started, when he belted a pair of homers in a warmup game victory over Brenham.
"It was great for me to move in and help the team win the state and national championships last year," said Eibner. "Most kids who move in don't get to do that. I was really honored to get the opportunity."
This year, Eibner started in right field and also pitched. He batted .417 with a .783 slugging percentage, a .514 on-base percentage and had an OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) of 1.297. He smacked six homers, scored 20 runs and had 15 RBIs.
The Astros are looking at Eibner for his pitching prowess. This season he was 5-0 with a 2.80 ERA in 35 innings, allowing 23 hits and 24 walks while striking out 58. He averaged 11.6 strikeouts per seven innings and consistently threw the ball 92-93 miles per hour for several pro teams.
Eibner had already earned a baseball scholarship to the University of Arkansas, where his brother Drew is on the Razorback men's golf team.
TWHS Coach Ron Eastman said he was happy for Eibner and Grote.
"Both Taylor and Brett were starters for the push through the playoffs last year, both helped us win," Eastman said. "They had good summers for their select teams. They played a big role in how those teams did."
After talking with scouts over the past year, Eastman said he figured both would be drafted.
"In baseball, signability is very big," Eastman said. "There are always guys at the college or high school level who will get drafted because they are signable, while others drop. It's a dream of most guys to go play baseball. Now they have to actually sit down and look at numbers."
As for Grote, the Yankees took him with the 274th overall pick in the draft. In February, Baseball America had Grote listed as the 28th best prospect in the nation, and according to sources within the Yankees organization, Grote is worth more money than a normal eighth round draft choice.
The 6-foot-2 outfielder throws right and bats left. In his senior season, he batted .380, had 14 stolen bases and smacked six home runs. As a junior, he hit .416 and had eight home runs to go along with 39 RBIs for TWHS state championship team.
"I'm definitely excited about the opportunity to be with a great organization like the Yankees," Grote said. "The G.M (Brain Cashman) for the Yankees called my advisor and they relayed all the information back to us - I'm just excited to be a part of the Yankees organization and I couldn't ask to be a part of a better team. The way they run their programs (minors) is really nice and it's a good opportunity for me. I think I'm going to Tampa Bay (Fla.) to play rookie ball and that's a good place to be while you're down in the minors.
"This is going to be a different experience and this will be my first time to be out on my own, but I think I'm ready for it," he said. "I have always wanted to be a professional athlete, and today it feels great to be one. I'm enjoying it today, but I know there is still an awful lot that has to be done in the minors."
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Brett Eibner to Houston Astros in fourth round.
Taylor Grote to New York Yankees in eighth round.
