First, they were teammates in an 8 and under baseball travel team (Key Seal Products). Then they were Bulldogs together at Turlock High under head coach Mark de la Motte. Now, Austin Bush (UCSB) and Adam Groesbeck (Air Force) will join former teammate Brett Cumberland with the Atlanta Braves organization, after both were drafted to the big leagues on Wednesday.
Cumberland (2016) was drafted No. 76 from the University of California-Berkeley.
"Three guys from Turlock High drafted by the same organization in two years is amazing," said Cumberland. "We have all played together before and are all friends. It's very exciting to be teammates with them again. It's going to be fun to get to work with them, from the CCC to professional baseball, it truly is amazing."
“I think it's exciting and pretty cool that all three of us are back in the same system. We were a very good high school team, so who knows what the future holds,” said Groesbeck.
Bush was selected in the 15th round at No. 440 overall, while Groesbeck was taken in the 38th round.
“Pretty amazing, definitely a first,” said de la Motte. “Happy for them all. They've worked hard and represent Turlock well.”
Both Groesbeck and Bush were also top 10 leaders in offensive categories in the country.
Bush was tied at No. 10 in Division-I baseball with the Gauchos at University of California, Santa Barbara, with 20 home-runs while Groesbeck at Air Force had the third highest batting average in the nation at .410.
Groesbeck and Bush are also added to the list of current pro players from Turlock High joining Kevin Kramer and Blake Cederlind.
All but Kramer played on the same team at Turlock High in 2013. That team went 28-3 overall and 15-0 in league that season. Cederlind, Cumberland and Bush played one more year together for coach de la Motte in 2014, earning 23 victories for the year.
"Only tips I have for them is to enjoy these next few days and have fun playing," said Cumberland. "I look forward to seeing them."
Groesbeck who just ended his four-year career with the Air Force will now report to the Braves organization, pending his call for active duty.
Back in April, Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis ruled that service academy athletes will be required to serve two years of active duty before they request the Ready Reserve status, serving five years in the reserves which would then allow them to play.
“I have to report for my first duty on July 24, and then go from there, but I am just excited for the opportunity I have now and am worried about what's in front of me now,” said Groesbeck. “A lot can happen in two years. Everything is not finalized yet, but I will know more details when it is all worked out.”
Groesbeck was also named to the All-Regional first team for the second time.
“He wants to serve his country. It's never been a choice between baseball or serving, it's been his desire to do both,” said Adam's father Neal.