Zak Sinclair waited all the way until the 34th round of Major League Baseball's first-year player draft before hearing his name called Friday. However, the right-handed pitcher from West Allegheny High School wasn't complaining.

"It was actually pretty cool to get drafted by the Red Sox," Sinclair said. "They are a team I've always followed and they won the World Series last year. I'm excited about it."

However, the Red Sox have told Sinclair they want to watch him this summer before deciding if they will enter into negotiations with him. Sinclair has accepted a scholarship to North Carolina State and plans to pitch this summer in the Pittsburgh Federation League.

"We're just going to wait and see what happens," Sinclair said. "I'm really in a win-win situation. If I don't sign, I'm going to an outstanding college program with the chance to play at a very high level. If I do sign then I'll realize my dream of being a professional baseball player.

"I'm not sweating it either way. I really figure I can't lose."

[Hunter] Cervenka, a District 21-5A first-team selection as well as the Sterling single-season home run record holder, played his cards carefully throughout the draft, secure in the knowledge that he had a full scholarship at San Jacinto Junior College waiting on him.

"It was kind of stressful because I didn't get picked where I wanted to," Cervenka said. "I passed up slot money in the third and fourth round from the Astros because the money wasn't what I was asking for and I wouldn't budge."

Cervenka also talked to the Washington Nationals during the draft as well as the Red Sox early in the day.

The Nationals were interested in picking Cervenka in the seventh round but only offered $90,000. His adviser, Curtis Dishman, informed the National League team that it would not be enough.

The next team to make an offer was the Red Sox in the 16th round. Boston offered $150,000, which was turned down. The team then decided to take a flyer on the left-hander and picked him in the 27th round.

"I was really surprised that I got picked by the Red Sox," Cervenka said. "They saw me early in the season but they slacked off. The good thing with them is they move their kids through the system so fast."

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Rather than sign, Cervenka is going to concentrate on playing summer baseball for the Southeast Texas Sun Devils. The Red Sox will mark his progress and the two sides will come together to make a decision on his future.

For now, that is far off in the distance for Cervenka.

"I'm keeping my options open," Cervenka said. "Everything in school is paid for and I can play this summer and have the time of my life. It's going to be fun to see how it all plays out."

Tyler Wilson wasn't at home when opportunity came calling Friday afternoon.

Thank goodness for cell phones.

At around 12:30 p.m., the former Armuchee standout received a phone call on his cell phone from Boston Red Sox Director of Amateur Scouting Jason McLeod.

The American League team had selected Wilson in the 13th round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.

"I wasn't even at my house," Wilson said. "I was at one of my friend's house to go swimming. Right when I got to their front door, I got the call."

Even three hours later, the impact of getting selected was still a lot to take in.

"It's really hard to describe," Wilson said. "It's just an honor to get drafted. Not too many people can say that they have a chance to play pro baseball."

It was the second day of the draft that saw Wilson become more than just a blip on the Red Sox's radar screen.

The right-handed pitcher had been in contact with Red Sox scouts before and talked with them earlier Friday regarding his terms.

After talking with him, Boston waited just a short while longer before making Wilson the 412th overall pick and the first Greater Rome prospect to be chosen in this year's draft.

"I can't really explain it," Wilson said. "I feel so blessed that I'm getting this opportunity. It feels like a new Christmas to me."

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The Rawlings Southern Top 50 nominated player went 5-2 in seven appearances in the regular season this past year while posting a 1.52 ERA and throwing a pair of no-hitters.

He struck out 114 batters and walked 22 while allowing 30 hits and only 15 earned runs.

Wilson, who is a client of Diamond Sports Management in Kennesaw, said that it would be a few days before he hears anything from the Red Sox.

"They're going to follow me and watch me," Wilson said. "They said they're drafting me to sign me, so I think they're going to try to work it out for me."

In the meantime, he'll be playing in the Georgia Dugout Club Elite 96 showcase at Kennesaw State University today and Sunday.

He'll then get into playing for the East Cobb Yankees in the summer league.