Getting the opportunity to live a dream he has had since he was a little boy has not quite sunk into Steven Duggar\u2019s mind.
\nThe Clemson outfielder saw his name come across the screen on Tuesday when the San Francisco Giants selected him in the sixth round with the 186th pick in the second day of the Major League Baseball Draft.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s absolutely an unbelievable feeling to know that you are going to be able to go after a dream,\u201d Duggar told The Clemson Insider Tuesday night. \u201cTo have that opportunity that most people don\u2019t have, it\u2019s an honor.\u201d
\nIt was a long day for the All-ACC right fielder. He said he started getting phone calls from different teams once the first day of the draft was complete. He woke up this morning to more calls telling him he was possibly going to be selected early.
\nBut first the third round came and went. Then the fourth round did the same and then came the sixth round.
\n\u201cIt was a long morning,\u201d he said. \u201cWe kind of had an idea of where I was going to go, but things kind of changed. I think I fell a little bit, but at the same time I\u2019m extremely excited to be a part of an incredible and first class organization.
\n\u201cThe San Francisco Giants have proven they can develop guys through the farm system. They have proven they can develop a mid-round slot (player). They have won World Series Championships for a reason.\u201d
\nDuggar is sure to take advantage of his opportunity with the Giants. He is considered one of the more athletic players in the draft and one scouts say has a tremendous upside.
\nHe earned Third-Team All-ACC honors for the second year after hitting .304 with 56 runs scored, five homers, 43 RBIs, a .432 on-base percentage, 54 walks and 10 steals. Duggar has started all 184 games of his Clemson career.
\n\u201cI turned down some money out of high school to come to college and then went undrafted. I slid a little bit today I felt like, but at the same time you are just waiting to have your name called,\u201d Duggar said. \u201cI had an opportunity to have it called my senior year (of high school) so to have it called and to have it called by such an amazing organization, I just cannot put it into words.\u201d
\nIt was of no surprise the first person to call Duggar after his selection was his head coach at Clemson \u2013 Jack Leggett.
\n\u201cHe called as soon as my name went off the board. He was the first one calling,\u201d Duggar said. \u201cWe talked a little bit. He was very happy for me and he was super proud and extremely grateful for the three years he was able to coach me.
\n\u201cIt was an exciting time, but I finally just asked him, \u2018Coach, I appreciate that and it means a whole lot, but enough about me. I want to talk about you. I have not been able to talk to you for a few days now. I want to know how you are feeling. I know that you might have been blindsided by the whole deal.\u2019 We just got to talking a little bit. You could tell that it took a lot out of him. I just hope that he is alright.\u201d
\nDuggar went on to say he hopes Clemson Athletic Director Dan Radakovich gets it right with whomever he decides to replace Leggett with.
\n\u201cIt has been a difficult process. It\u2019s hard to see Coach Leggett go. It really is because I think he has done so much for the program and the university,\u201d he said. \u201cI just think the way it was handled was wrong. I think he deserves better.
\n\u201cCoach Leggett deserved much better than the way the situation went down. I hope whoever gets it, whether it is Coach (Matthew) LeCroy, Monte Lee or anybody else, I just hope they get it right.\u201d<\/p>\n