Baseball's Texas Rangers Pick North Florida Christian High School Pitcher, Cole Ragans

Common Sense Commentary: This is the High School on the Campus of North Florida Baptist Church in Tallahassee, Florida. I founded the church in 1963 as Temple Baptist Church (name changed later) and pastored that ministry for nearly 30 years. Dr. Randy Ray is the present pastor. We had a full athletic program, band, the second best Computer Science program in the nation and the best computer teacher, Norm Pettus, heading the department. We were one of the first High Schools in the U.S. with a computer program in its curriculum. We had an exceptional percentage of graduates who went on to college. Our graduates are now in the top levels of Computer Tech, Business, and every other profession ... including Christian Ministry. Add to that some of the very best Coaches of a full slate of athletics. (7 sports).
From our playing fields arose several athletes who went on to college and then to the pros. I think this young man, reported on below, is the first graduate we have had who is going directly from High School into a pro-team schedule. Our schools did have an advantage in sports in that our boy's and girl's teams both played sports, together, from Kindergarten through High School and developed as a team unit from four or five years old with the same kids all the way to H.S. graduation. But NFCS baseball's secret weapon is long standing (30 year) coach Mike Posey coaching a comparatively small school into the big leagues in High School baseball. See it here http://www.nflschool.org/boys-baseball.html

North Florida Christian School has always had the finest educational and athletic programs available and we have the alumni to prove it. Who was behind all that success .... a superb faculty and super superb Principles at every level, Kindergarten through High School.

Why do I report on one of NFCS's athletes being picked up by the Texas Rangers? Their stadium is a stones baseball's throw from where I live ..... about 10 minutes away .... and in Texas. Another reason is that our twin sons, Rex and Ron, won  a Little League Championship, Rex as pitcher and Ron as catcher back in Tallahassee many years ago. Ron sent me the article which his daughter Julie, who married another baseball champion, sent him. So you see, its all in the family.... the Old Temple Baptist Family. So, all you Templeites, our efforts were not in vain; The harvest continues to flourish till Jesus comes. RB

I did not print the full article. Here it is in brief....

From: "Scott Lucas / Newberg Report" <minors@scottlucas.com>
Date: Jun 9, 2016 10:13 PM
Subject: Newberg Report Update: Texas selects LHP Cole Ragans with Pick 1/30


With the 30th pick in the 1st round, the Rangers have selected LHP Cole Ragans, North Florida Christian High School, Tallahassee, Florida.  He's 6'3", 190 pounds.  

I would expect him to begin his career in the Arizona Rookie League with a chance at late action at a higher level.  

Per MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo just now on television, Ragans' feel for pitching is advanced, more like a college pick ....Here's video from MLB.com