Aycock's Narron drafted by Baltimore

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on June 9, 2010 11:25 AM

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PIKEVILLE -- Lazy summer afternoons of taking ground balls, shagging flies and hitting batting practice in Major League parks -- as a 4-year-old -- helped turner Connor Narron's life-long dream into reality Tuesday.

The Baltimore Orioles selected Narron in the fifth round, 148th overall, on day two of the First-Year Player Draft, held annually by Major League Baseball. A senior at Charles B. Aycock, Narron was one of seven high school players chosen by the O's during the last 48 hours.

"We're very proud of him," said Golden Falcons head baseball coach Charles Davis. "It is quite an honor to be picked that high. We spoke very briefly today (about the draft). It's been a life-long dream for Connor to play Major League Baseball."

Narron is the fifth player to get drafted during Davis' tenure with Aycock. Michael Wiggs, a Mount Olive College graduate, was the first in 1993. Brian Grant was signed by Toronto in 2002. Rob Wooten and Dustin Sasser were selected by Milwaukee and Chicago, respectively, in 2008.

Grant didn't play in college.

Narron becomes the ninth family member to get drafted.

"It's kind of like being part of a family business," chuckled dad, Jerry, during a telephone interview Tuesday evening. "I'm happy about it. He's put in a lot of work. It's something he's been shooting for -- a goal of his to be drafted."

Narron was just happy to step onto the field again this spring.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound shortstop battled through injuries during his sophomore and junior seasons. Narron played with a torn MCL the final six weeks during the 2008 campaign, and needed the entire summer to recover.

Lower back trouble limited Narron's playing time in 2009.

A healthier and confident Narron returned this spring and helped Aycock log 22 wins. The Golden Falcons advanced to the N.C. High School Athletic Association 3-A playoffs.

"It's been a tremendous thrill and great joy for me to be home the last three years and see him play," said Jerry, who missed Connor's freshman season when Aycock claimed the state 3-A championship.

Narron has signed a national letter-of-intent to play at North Carolina. He hopes to lead the Tar Heels back to Omaha and win a national championship -- the first in program history and just the second in ACC lore since Wake Forest won it all in 1955.

Jerry is leaving the choice to his son. Narron doesn't have to sign until Aug. 15.

"My advice for him has been to make his own decision on this," said Jerry. "Once he makes it, don't look back. He's in a win-win situation. He's not going to give that Carolina offer away and it will have to be a good offer (from the Orioles) for him not to go to Carolina.

"The baseball program there is one of the best in the country and Mike Fox is a great coach. He's got a lot of time to think about it."