I was debating whether I should start this blog out with a connection between Chelsea Clinton’s recent trip to Butler, which I partially attended, and something relating to high school sports, but I realized that there aren’t many common denominators between the two. A comparison of Chelsea’s reaction to the Monica Lewinsky question with, say, the Brownsburg’s state-winning boys basketball team just doesn’t make a lick of sense. Plus, CNN and other media are beating (and overdramatizing) the story to death.

So instead, since I’m an avid baseball nutcase, I figured I would focus on that wonderful sport that had the entire world shouting “Konnichiwa!” as the Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics faced off in Japan yesterday.

I was able to catch the eighth and ninth innings yesterday morning, nearly wetting myself out of sheer excitement, and I got to wondering this somewhat arbitrary question: How many former Central Indiana high school ballplayers are floating around Major League Baseball?

Well, the answer was many more than I thought. Carmel and Brownsburg are known for producing high caliber players, and many have bounced back and forth between the minors. But here’s a look at two players, one from the American League and one from the National League, who are young and give hope to the current high school players who want to take a shot at the Majors.

Also, feel free to leave some comments on other Central Indiana high school baseball players, past or present, who epitomize America’s pastime.

Adam Lind, left fielder, Toronto Blue Jays

Lind graduated from Anderson Highland in 2002 as Indiana’s Mr. Baseball, and upon graduation, he was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the eighth round. He took the more prudent (and more intelligent) route by attending South Alabama (the same South Alabama that got trumped by 20 against Butler this past Friday…I had to toss that out there) instead of signing right out of high school.

He was later drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the fourth round after two years at USA. The former Highlander was ranked as the fifth best prospect within the Jays’ farm system, and he’s already played in the Majors for two years. Last year, he sported an unsightly .238 average, but he still managed 11 home runs and 46 RBI in 89 games.

I must also mention that Lind is still only 24 years old. He’s only six years removed from Anderson Highland, and he’s already making major league strides. He’s starting the year at Triple-A, but he most certainly should get the call back up. If you’re a Central Indiana fan, keep an eye out for him.

Jake Fox, right fielder, Chicago Cubs

The Beech Grove native graduated from Cathedral back in 2000 and later played for the University of Michigan. 

In the Cubs’ March 1 spring game against the Angels, Fox belted out a two-run homer, the only runs for the Cubs that game. His status on the Cubs Major League roster is uncertain, especially with the addition of Kosuke Fukudome, but it’s not like Matt Murton or Felix Pie have satisfied Cubs fans lately.

While at Cathedral, Fox led the team to two Indianapolis City championships. During his senior season, he hit a robust .586 and had 16 home runs to lead all Indiana players. Although those high school numbers aren’t directly indicative of Major League numbers, Fox is certainly not washed up. He’s not even 26 years old, for gosh sakes.