TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - North Florida Christian graduate Cole Ragans woke up Friday morning a first round draft pick.
"As soon as it happened, my phone started going crazy," he said of the moment the Texas Rangers selected him 30th overall in the Major League Baseball Draft. "I had like 120 text messages within like five minutes. I couldn't even reply fast enough then someone else would text me!"
He said the reality of being selected is still sinking in, and he hasn't quite grasped that he's a professional baseball player. Ragans said he hasn't talked to the Rangers yet, as his agent has been handling all the dealing, but said he wants to sign soon as he's ready to start the next chapter in his career.
"Coach (Mike) Bell (of Florida State) texted me and said congratulations and go Noles. I replied thank you and go Noles," he said. By signing a professional contract, Ragans will forgo his college eligibility. "I'm still a Nole fan no matter what. I went and talked to Coach (Mike) Posey (of North Florida Christian) this morning. I can't thank him enough. I went over and shook his hand and said thank you for everything. Words don't explain how much he's done for me. I can't thank him enough."
Ragans said he will sit down with his advisor after this weekend. He said they may negotiate with the Rangers a little. The slot value for the 30th pick sits at just over two million dollars.
