In August of 2004, Justin Upton was named the winner of the Jackie Robinson award as the top high school player in his class.  Then he became the first overall pick of the 2005 draft by the Diamondbacks.  The night of the Aflac Banquet, exactly three years to the day later, Justin Upton almost hit for the cycle against the Dodgers in LA.

Homer Bailey was our top ranked pitcher in the 2004 class.  He pitched in the very first Aflac Classic in 2003.  Bailey became the first Aflac All American to appear in the Major Leagues, winning his first start.

Cameron Maybin was the second high school player selected (afterUpton ) in the 2005 draft.  This week he got his first two MLB hits and his first home run off, none other, than certain Hall of Famer Roger Clemens in Yankee Stadium.

Homer Bailey, Justin Upton and now Cameron Maybin are the first Aflac All Americans to make their Major League Debut, but they will be far from the last.  Maybe even as soon as September we might see another one or two former Aflac All Americans starting their Big League careers.

So who will be next?

There have been about 60 Aflac All Americans who have been drafted in the first two rounds including 42 first round selections.

Here are some of the former Aflac All Americans who are knocking on the door to the Major Leagues.

Potential 2007 Call ups

Andrew McCutchen - Yet another outfielder from the 2004 Aflac Class. McCutchen has been recently moved up by the Pirates to Triple A and could get a September call up.

Eric Hurley – Aflac Class of 2003. Pitching in Triple A for the Royals and a possible September call up

Chuck Lofgren – Yet another Aflac 2003 pitcher who is in Triple A with the Indians and a possible September call up.

Troy Patton – Yes, another 2003 Aflac pitcher.  In Triple A with the Astros waiting for a September call up.

Nick Adenhart – And here is another pitcher from the 2003 Aflac Class.  Double A with the Angels and possible September call up.

Neil Walker – Aflac 2003 catcher in Triple A with the Pirates. Possible September call up.

Gio Gonzalez – Yet another of the Aflac 2003 pitchers who could get a September call up by the White Sox.

Greg Golson – 2003 Aflac outfielder, will he get a September call up to the Phillies?

Trevor Plouffe – 2003 Aflac infielder is doing well in Double A with the Twins.

Others not far away

Dexter Fowler and Chris Nelson – Aflac players in 2003 are both highly regarded in the Rockies organization.

Chris Volstad – 2004 Aflac pitcher is in Double A with the Marlins.

Jeremy Hellickson – 2004 Aflac Pitcher is still in A ball with the D’Rays, but he is 12-2 with a very low ERA.

Austin Jackson – Yet another 2004 Aflac outfielder has become one of the Yankees top prospects.

Sean O’Sullivan – 2004 Aflac pitcher has the lowest ERA in the Midwest League with the Angels.

Beau Jones – 2004 Aflac pitcher has an 8-0 record this year with the Rangers.

Cedric Hunter – 2005 Aflac outfielder has become a top prospect in the Padres organization.

Chris Marrero – 2004 Aflac infielder has become a top prospect with the Nationals.

Hank Conger – 2005 Aflac catcher is hitting well in A ball with the Angels.

Billy Rowell – 2005 Aflac infielder is a top prospect with the Orioles.

Kasey Kiker, Jeremy Jeffress, Dellin Betances, Kyle Drabek, Mark Rogers – All these former Aflac pitchers and a few other former Aflac  All Americans are ranked as top prospects in their various organizations.

And there will be many more

There are several other former Aflac players making their mark on Professional and College baseball.  There’s going to be a lot of Aflac All Americans playing in the Big Leagues within the next few years.  Bailey, Upton and Maybin might be the first, but they’re far from the last.

The 2006 Aflac class is just getting started and promises to have several future Major Leaguers.