The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Lakota West’s May gets call

Grandson of Reds hall-of-famer drafted by Cincinnati, but he may play college ball instead.

Lakota West High senior Jacob May was drafted in the 39th round by the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, June 9.

Mesoraco's slam sends Reds over Braves
7:38 a.m.
Lost chances cost Cougars
5/25/12
Badin advances to regional final
5/25/12
West hopes to keep winning
5/25/12
Is third time the charm for senior?
5/25/12
> More sports headlines

By Steven Matthews, Staff Writer Updated 12:44 AM Thursday, June 10, 2010

WEST CHESTER TWP. — Jacob May made history on Wednesday, June 9.

The Lakota West High School senior baseball star became the first player in school history to be drafted right out of high school when the Cincinnati Reds selected him in the 39th round (No. 1,177 overall) in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

“There are a lot of kids that would love to just get drafted,” May said. “I’ve signed with a good college program (Coastal Carolina) and I love being drafted by the Reds, being from Cincinnati. I’m going to soak it all in.”

May’s father, Lee May Jr., was a first-round draft pick by the New York Mets in 1986, and is currently the hitting coach for the Cleveland Indians’ AAA team, the Columbus Clippers. May’s grandfather, Lee May Sr., spent 18 seasons in the major leagues and is in the Reds Hall of Fame.

“My grandpa and my dad know how the whole thing goes,” May said. “They both went through it. They’ll be right beside me the whole process.”

May (5-foot-10, 175 pounds), a switch-hitter who can play both the infield and outfield, hit .440 with five home runs and 29 runs batted in this season to earn his second straight first-team, all-Greater Miami Conference honor. As a junior, he was a second-team, all-state selection.

May holds the Lakota district record for career homers (10).

“I talked to a lot of organizations during school ball, so I was hoping (to get drafted) just for the experience,” May said. “I’m looking forward to it. It wasn’t looking too hot for a while, but it worked out.”

At this point, May is not sure whether he will sign with the Reds or honor his commitment to Coastal Carolina and play for the Chanticleers next season.

“There’s no rush,” May said. “This is something I’ll take my time on. Pro ball is my dream. It’s there.

“As for now, I’ll talk to my family,” he added. “The Reds will talk to me throughout the summer. I’m not against the college baseball experience at all. I think it’s pretty important to get a college education.”

May’s plan, as of now, is to play for the Cincinnati Flames until he is scheduled to report to Coastal Carolina on July 10.

“It just takes one team,” West coach Bill Dreisbach said prior to the draft. “ ... He’s got a real good opportunity ahead of him at Coastal Carolina. He’s got a lot to look forward to. Pro baseball is his ultimate goal. I’m pretty confident, with his skills, that he’ll get that opportunity at some point.”

• Moeller senior right-handed pitcher David Whitehead, a West Chester Twp. resident, was picked by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 36th round (1,086 overall).

Share this article