The Atlanta Constitution from Atlanta, Georgia • 164

NORTH FULTON EXTRA, JUNE 25, 1987 32H Yankees with eye pick Faw to future rA "i FILE next spring and they'll get first shot at me." Although Faw said some people told him he was going to get drafted, he didn't expect he would get the call Faw said DeKalb pitching coach Tommy Barber "told me stories about people sitting by the phone for three or four days. I was just doing everyday things. I had finals that week. I got home from school that Friday and the call came. "I was glad they drafted me.

It shows that they're interested in me and that I've been doing well It's nice to know that all the hard work pays off." Later, Faw received a telegram from Yankees owner George Stein-brenner and one from the team's director of scouting. His reaction: "That was neat" Faw said the Yankees liked his "loose arm." By that Faw said they mean he has "the ability to throw hard and not took like I'm throwing with that much effort" The Yankees clocked Faw's pitches at a consistent 83 miles per hour, with Faw's fastball registering up to 86 mph. An average major-league fastball measures in the mid-to high 80s, and Faw's speed should increase as he strengthens his right arm. Although Faw said he would have gladly accepted being drafted by any of the 26 major league teams, his selection by the Yankees takes on special significance. Faw was born and raised on Long Island before bis family moved to Roswell when he was 8 years old.

He still has aunts, uncles and grandparents in the New York area. It is not a certainty, however, that Faw will sign with the Yankees at the end of his sophomore season. "I plan on going to a senior college unless the money is hard to turn down," Faw said. He has compiled a 3.1 grade-point average, and with bis combination of grades and pitching, he should be highly sought after by senior colleges next season. All the major colleges in Georgia and South Carolina have expressed interest in Faw, and he's already turned down an offer from Georgia to accept a scholarship at DeKalb.

South Carolina may have the inside track at the moment but Faw is keeping his options open. "Any offer I get, Tm going to go look at the situation first" Faw said. Tm not going to sign right off the bat" While Faw Intends on going to a senior college after he finishes at DeKalb, he realises the risks of his sport See FAW 34 By ISk Bhm Sports Editor The New York Yankees have been criticized for all sorts of things over the years, but lack of organizational foresight does not appear on that list In the recent major-league draft, the Yankees selected a player in the 32nd round they knew would not sign with them now. But then, they didn't expect him to. The Yankees' choice in that round was former Roswell High School standout Brian Faw, who is coming off an exceptional freshman season at DeKalb Junior College.

Faw will complete his sophomore season at DeKalb, as the Yankees fully expected him to do, but he will be eligible to sign with the team in the weeks between the end of the 1988 junior college season and next June's amateur draft Until that time, the Yankees will be taking a long look at the right-handed pitcher. If they like what they see, they'll make Faw a lucrative offer in an effort to keep him from accepting one of the many scholarship offers that are sure to come his way next year. On a talented team that won the state junior college title over the likes of nationally regarded Middle Georgia, Faw was the lone DeKalb player selected in the draft He was one of just two players from Georgia junior colleges picked in the draft; the other was Middle Georgia's Jesse Cross. Faw and Cross have developed a rivalry the past two seasons. As seniors in high school, Faw bested Cross in the first game of the state semifinal playoff series between Roswell and Ringgold, with the Hornets going on to win the Class AAA title.

The two pitchers met twice on the mound this year, and Faw again came out on top, with one of his wins coming in the state tournament Faw said it was "an honor" to be the only player selected from his team and just one of two taken from the entire state. "There were a couple of guys on the team I thought would get drafted," he said. "The Cubs were talking to Jamie," be added, referring to Roswell and DeKalb teammate Jamie Crump, who is playing with Faw this summer on the Roswell Cardinals Stan Musial team. Unlike former Roswell teammate Lozxell Montgomery, who is planning to Join Faw and Crump at DeKalb next season, Faw did not have much of a decision to make after being drafted. "They wanted me for next year and that's tbr reason they drafted me said Faw.

They'll be watching me this summer and fall and FUTUnl YAKXElf Former Roswel standout Brian Faw, in action in state championship series last year against Jones County, was selected by the New York Yankees in recent basebaS draft. Redan pitcher Kimball spurns Mets to sign with Florida State By Evan Grant Stiff Writer Imagine a rotation of Dwight Gooden, Sid Fernandez, Ron Darling, Bob Qjeda and Ricky Kimball for the New York Mets. "Kimball? Is that as in Redan's Ricky Kimball, the high school pitcher? It could have been, had Kimball accepted the Mets proposal after he was drafted in the fifth round of the amateur baseball draft earlier this month. But Kimball turned down the world champions to concentrate on college baseball, which also carries the promise of a bright future for the 18-year-old. "I was really happy and wanted to sign," said Kimball, who got a full scholarship to play at Florida State University in Tallahassee, annually one of the top teams in the country.

"But the best thing for me s--i IMSVtHARPSUH See KEmALL SAY TO pitcher F6Kiriel turned (town the.