[6/7/04]Taylor Tankersley became the highest baseball draft pick from Warren County when he was chosen with the 27th overall pick in the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft by the Florida Marlins.

Tankersley, an Alabama junior, also became only the third player in Crimson Tide baseball history to be drafted in the first round.

The southpaw who starred at Warren Central struggled to a 2-5 season, but his 2.00 ERA and him being a left-handed pitcher attracted the Marlins.

Tankersley said last week that the Yankees were real interested and the Cleveland Indians made a push late.

Draft forecasters had Tankersley projected in the late first round of early second round.

The 6-foot, 1-inch Tankersley led Warren Central to the 2001 Class 5A state championship before playing three seasons at Alabama.