Several amateur baseball players realized their childhood dreams on Monday when MLB commissioner Rob Manfred called their names during the 2017 first-year player draft.
While a handful of top prospects attended the live draft at the MLB Network studios in Secaucus, New Jersey, others held watch parties back home with family and friends.
Here are some of the joyous celebrations that ensued around the country, as well as social reaction from the new pros as the first round of the draft unfolded.
VIDEO: Palm Beach Gardens grad, @UVABaseball 1B Pavin Smith gets selected 7th overall by the @Dbacks. pic.twitter.com/uzOXsBBgiC
— Wells Dusenbury (@DuseReport) June 12, 2017
It's an honor to be drafted by the @Dbacks can't thank my family, teammates and coaches enough for helping me get to this point #blessed
— Pavin Smith (@PavinSmith) June 13, 2017
A moment he'll never forget. pic.twitter.com/A49NFWc9MM
— UCI Baseball (@UCIbsb) June 13, 2017
— Keston Hiura (@Kestdaddy) June 13, 2017
Pitcher Shane Baz (@thewizardofbaz) from Concordia Lutheran in Tomball goes to the Pirates with the 12th pick in 1st round of the MLB Draft pic.twitter.com/QKmezRz3Vk
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) June 13, 2017
The moment you hear your name called in the 1st round of #MLBdraft17 @GoDucks @Mets pic.twitter.com/DSD3CbilXK
— Oregon Duck Baseball (@OregonBaseball) June 13, 2017
That feeling when you get drafted by the #Royals. pic.twitter.com/37Kh9cgkEI
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) June 13, 2017
Congrats to #CFBaseball RHP @big_nate5 on being drafted 28th by @BlueJays! pic.twitter.com/j7PtCKQvqa
— CF Patriots (@cfpats) June 13, 2017
There it is folks. Houck is headed to the Red Sox pic.twitter.com/EDWloTnJT1
— Mitchell Forde (@Mitchell4D) June 13, 2017
In the Omaha Room with Brendan McKay (@Brendan_mckay38)! #L1C4 #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/WSzZcB8Po1
— Louisville Baseball (@UofLBaseball) June 12, 2017
High school pitcher/shortstop Hunter Greene received recognition from current big leaguers, as well as TV and radio host Larry King, after the Cincinnati Reds selected him with the No. 2 overall pick.
Fellow high school prospect Jordon Adell, whom the Los Angeles Angels took at No. 10 overall, also got a similar shoutout from the big club's closer Huston Street.
Let's go baby! I'm thankful 2 everyone that's been there for me! S/O @JleeSol and Darrell Miller for your vision @MLBUYA ❤️@RockstarBasebal pic.twitter.com/A4rkkIDmoO
— Hunter Greene (@HunterGreene17) June 12, 2017
Congrats to @HunterGreene17 on being selection 2nd overall in this years MLB draft. Best of luck young man! Grind Grind Grind #StayHungry pic.twitter.com/v9PLHcbqAM
— 10 (@SimplyAJ10) June 12, 2017
Congrats bro @HunterGreene17 glad you're with the @reds can't wait to see you play. Keep grinding 💯💯💯
— Billy Hamilton (@BillyHamilton) June 13, 2017
Welcome to the movement @HunterGreene17... #LetsEat
— Rookie Davis (@rookdavis24) June 12, 2017
Congrats to our family friend @HunterGreene17. He went 2nd in the @MLB draft to the @Reds. He's a stud on the mound & a class act young man!
— Larry King (@kingsthings) June 13, 2017
We love our guy #JoAdell great swing, great person, gonna be a great player, lots and lots of potential @Angels I love his swing!
— Huston Street (@HustonStreet) June 13, 2017
No. 6 and No. 15 overall picks Austin Beck and J.B. Bukauskas reacted on Twitter after being drafted by the Oakland Athletics and Houston Astros, respectively.
I'm an Oakland A!!!!!!
— AB23 (@austinbeck222) June 13, 2017
Such an exciting day! So many people that helped me along the way. It's been a dream come true to be selected in the @MLBDraft
— Jacob Bukauskas (@JBukauskas22) June 13, 2017
Florida pitcher Alex Faedo was unaware that the Detroit Tigers made him their selection at No. 18 because the right-hander was busy helping lead the Gators into the College World Series.
After he pitched two scoreless innings against Wake Forest, Florida baseball jokingly tweeted that MLB wouldn't be allowed to steal him away from the program.
With a 3-0 lead heading to the 8th...the #Gators bring in Alex Faedo.
— Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) June 13, 2017
(he also got drafted by the @Tigers a little bit ago) pic.twitter.com/OFuh6BSSmr
Sorry, @MLB, this guy won't be available until 2019. pic.twitter.com/cHgogpNmxP
— Gators Baseball (@GatorsBB) June 13, 2017
The MLB draft continues with Rounds 3-10 on Tuesday starting at 1 p.m. ET.
-- Nick Ostiller
