Former Eastside, Greer Standouts Taken in MLB Draft

Former Eastside and Greer standouts were taken Saturday in the major league draft.

Will Callaway, a senior shortstop for Appalachian State, was taken in the 37th round by the San Francisco Giants.

Greer's Taylor Johnson, a senior outfielder for Furman University, was selected by the Los Angeles Angels in the 31st round.

Callaway and Johnson are expected to sign contracts in the near future and be assigned to minor-league teams.

Callaway was a two-time finalist for the Brooks Wallace Award, which is given to college baseball’s top shortstop. According to Appalachian State, Callaway hit .323 over his three seasons at Appalachian State and averaged 76 hits and 19 stolen bases a season over his final two campaigns. Callaway hit a a team-best .344 as a senior in 2013 and had a school-record-tying 27-game hitting streak from April 2-May 23, during which he hit .415 (49-for-118) with 15 multi-hit games, 27 RBI and 24 runs scored.

Callaway was named to second team All-Southern Conference Team.

During his time at Eastside, Callaway earned all-region recognition as a senior.

Johnson batted .332 with 10 home runs and led the team with 82 hits and 56 RBIs.

According to the Paladins, Johnson's best performances in 2013 included a 3-for-4, 2-home run, 3-RBI effort that included four runs in an 11-9 road win over the College of Charleston and a career best 5-for-5, 3-RBI outburst in a 13-7 triumph over UNCG.  According to the school, he also matched a career high with five RBI in a 4-for-5 performance against Dayton, a 19-3 victory, and belted a game tying home run, part of a 3-for-3, 3-RBI effort in a 6-5 win over South Carolina at Fluor Field.

In three seasons at Furman, Johnson played in 153 games, starting in 132, batting .317 with 18 home runs and 106 RBI.

Johnson hit .322 as a junior and was named to the SoCon All-Tournament squad.

Former Greer product Daniel Palka was taken in the draft Friday by the Arizona Diamondbacks.