Preston Mattingly of Evansville Central High School, the son of former New York Yankees star Don Mattingly, was the 31st player taken Tuesday in the major league baseball draft.
The 6-3 shortstop was the first player from Indiana selected, going to the Los Angeles Dodgers as the first compensation pick between the first and second rounds.
Mattingly, who previously signed a letter of intent to play at the University of Tennessee, told the Evansville Courier & Press after his high draft selection Tuesday that he'll turn pro right away rather than go to college.
"This is just the first step," said Mattingly, who will turn 19 in August. "Now I've got to go out and prove myself and keep working hard to get better so I can work my way up to the major leagues."
Mattingly, who is hitting .475 and has 38 RBI this season, said the Dodgers called him during a break after the first round was completed.
"It's awesome," he said.
"They asked if I'd be comfortable not being a Yankee. I told them, 'Yeah, that would be all right.'"
Mattingly's older brother, Taylor Mattingly, was picked by the Yankees on the 42nd round in 2003. Preston Mattingly said he's not concerned about comparisons with his famous father, now the Yankees hitting coach.
"I'm kind of my own person," Preston said. "I'm not worried about my dad. It helps a little bit, but they're not going to throw a bunch of money at me because of my dad."
