MLB teams draft two Houston County Bears, head coach reflects on historic picks and the program’s future

Two former Houston County Bears made history during last weekend’s Major League Baseball draft.

The Athletics drafted Georgia Tech outfielder Drew Burress eighth overall in the first round of the MLB draft on Saturday; that’s the highest a Bear has ever been selected.

Isaiah Galason, a recently graduated middle infielder, went in the 17th round to the Washington Nationals.

A surreal moment

HoCo head baseball coach Matt Hopkins was there on draft night when Burress got the phone call.

“You’re honored to be able to be there and to have coached a kid like that,” Hopkins said. “It’s one of those things where being a part of his journey is a cool thing. To watch him work to get there, and to see him be rewarded was just awesome.”

Burress’ talent was obvious soon after he entered the HoCo baseball program, but Hopkins said it’s hard to predict how far a player will go, especially when it comes to making it to the majors.

A near-record-breaking junior year made the future a little less foggy.

His 73 RBI was one short of the all-time Georgia record, regardless of classification. Between his last two years of high school ball, he belted 30 home runs and brought home 130 runs.

“We knew at that point he was going to have a really good chance to do something special,” Hopkins said.

Talent alone can’t bring a player to that point of success. Hopkins talked about some of Burress’ best qualities and reasons why he thinks the outfielder made it this far.

“He’s driven, very focused. Straight up, he’s a winner. He’s grown into a great teammate. He’s a really good person and he does what it takes for the team not just himself, and I think that’s been one of the biggest developments I’ve seen with him through the years,” Hopkins said. ”As he grows himself he tries to bring other people with him, and I think that’s an outstanding quality.”

From high school to the league

Galason was the second Bear drafted straight out of high school. Andrew Dunford in 2023 is the only other.

Hopkins said before the season that Galason was following the path of all the previous draftees.

“He’s really learned from the other players we’ve had in the past and watched them work,” Hopkins said. “To be able to watch Gage Harrelson and be able to watch Drew Burress and Andrew Dunford and Jaden Woods and all these other guys, he’s been able to see what it takes.”

He put on 15 pounds of muscle in the offseason and a lot of time into his defensive work and his bat.

During his senior season, he batted .422 with 13 doubles, one triple, three home runs, 30 RBI, 20 walks, 13 strikeouts, 28 stolen bases and 43 runs scored.

Elite athleticism is a must for MLB prospects. Hopkins said Galason is “one of the most twitchy, fast athletes that I’ve ever coached.”

Joining a growing list

Burress and Galason are the sixth and seventh players from Houston County High School to ever be drafted, and the second pair to be selected in the same draft.

Jaden Woods, who is currently in AAA for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and Andrew Dunford,  currently in the Rookie classification for the Houston Astros, both went in the 2023 draft. Their names were called in the seventh and 12th rounds, respectively.

They help make up a list of now eight professionals. Four (not including Burress and Galason) are still in the league.

The Los Angeles Angels drafted former Texas Tech Red Raider and Florida State Seminole Gage Harrelson in the 16th round of the 2025 draft. He is currently in the High-A classification.

DL Hall was drafted 21st overall in the first round of the 2017 draft, and until now, he had held the highest draft position for a former Bear. He is currently in the majors with the Milwaukee Brewers, where he has pitched 31 innings in 2026.

There are two players no longer in the league.

Tony Locey was drafted in the third round of the 2019 draft, and was in the league from 2019 to 2023.

Eddie Solomon went undrafted, but had a career in the league from 1969 to 1983. He had several stints in the majors, the longest consecutive with Atlanta and Pittsburgh from 1977 to 1982. He died shortly after in 1986 at age 34.

An example for the rest

Galason learned from the draftees before him, and those who come after will learn from him and Burress.

“I think that’s what’s special for the rest of our kids that are coming up, too, is they’re getting to watch this stuff firsthand and hopefully it’s going to give them a leg up to pursue their dreams one day,” Hopkins said.

It not only gives them an example but direct resources to see what it takes to make it to the next level and beyond. As the number of Bears in the league grows, so does national attention.

“I think it just gives you another plug to talk to them about working, and watching how hard work is rewarded,” Hopkins said. “Those guys have helped put our program on the map even more, to where scouts are going to come look at where we are. They’re gonna come to Houston County, because they know we’re producing good athletes.”

Above all, Hopkins and his team will continue to foster a championship culture.

“It’s more to do with the kids working together and producing a culture that breeds winners and breeds [kids] that know how to work,” Hopkins said. “We’re gonna start to see more and more kids [get national attention] over the next few years, I think, it’s just really exciting to watch those guys make it happen.”