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UNC Baseball commit Cobb Hightower drafted by the San Diego Padres

Will Hightower ever play a game for the Tar Heels, or is he heading to the pros?

By Charles Maxwell

Jun 7, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Boshamer Stadium prior to the North Carolina Tar Heels and West Virginia Mountaineers playing in the DI Baseball Super Regional. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Camarati-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 7, 2024; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Boshamer Stadium prior to the North Carolina Tar Heels and West Virginia Mountaineers playing in the DI Baseball Super Regional. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Camarati-USA TODAY Sports / Jeffrey Camarati-USA TODAY Sports
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The San Diego Padres selected UNC Baseball commit Cobb Hightower in the third round of the MLB draft on Monday with the 88th overall pick. 

The recent high school graduate from Granite Quarry, North Carolina, was ranked as the No. 2 shortstop in North Carolina in the Class of 2024.

Hightower, who led East Rowan High School to the NCHSAA 3A State Title and was named the prep Baseball Player of the Year in NC in 2024, was a surprise 88th overall pick in the MLB draft. This was unexpected as he was ranked 133rd overall by ESPN Mock Drafts.

Hightower committed to playing baseball at North Carolina over two years ago, in the spring of 2022. 

The question is whether Hightower will ever actually play for the Tar Heels. Because the 19-year-old was taken so early in the draft, there's an excellent chance Hightower will sign with the Padres and forgo a college career with North Carolina.

Regardless of whether Hightower plays in Chapel Hill, his early selection is a testament to the UNC Baseball program's keen eye for talent.

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