COVID-19 impact on Biloxi’s Colt Keith: MLB Draft uncertainty looming large on future

Biloxi High School baseball star Colt Keith had a plan.

Whether or not that plan changes as a result of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic remains to be seen.

- biloxi high school baseball sta- colt keith... had a plan.

- whether or not that plan change- as a result of the- on-going corona-virus - pandemic... remains to be - seen.

- either way... things certainly- aren't going according to - plan for the baseball world as- a whole... and the reigning - gatorade player of the year for- mississippi... is ready to make- a - new plan... if need be.

- - nat ---> "batting second.

The shortstop.

Number 33.

Senior.

- colten keith."

"it's just very chaotic.

You've got kids in different - situations.

This whole virus, - man,- - - - it just ruined a lot of kids an- their baseball plans."

- - - colt keith has always created - his own luck, on the diamond...- but - he's still one of the lucky - ones... fortunate enough to hav- a - clear path, to continuing his - baseball career... post-- corona-virus... as an arizona - state signee.

- - - - "nothing really changed with arizona state.

Luckily they onl- had two seniors - this year, so those two seniors- coming back doesn't really- - - - affect much.

And i still got th- same scholarship that they- offered me at first, and- everything is still the same- with all- - - - that and the draft.

Whether i g- to arizona state or i go play - pro ball, i'm just- thankful i get to play at the - next level."

Ever since keith's arrival in - biloxi, prior to his junior - season... he's been revered as- - - - the most highly-coveted basebal- recruit, on the gulf coast... i- not the entire state.

He scores- as a perfect 10, according to - perfect game... and was bumped- into the top 60, of baseball- america's pre-- draft rankings... less than two- weeks ago.- but keep in mind... this year's- first-year player draft...- normally- 40 rounds-long... is shaping up- to be a shell... of its former- self.

- "it could be 10 rounds.

That's still up in the air.

But i'm- hearing about five rounds.

But- those first five rounds are - going to be the same money slot- as last year.

But after the - - - - fifth round they can only sign- for $20,000, which is going to- affect hundreds of kids - around america that have worked- to get drafted for this year.

- - - - and then that's obviously going- to affect colleges because now- they've got the chance to go- back, and it's just going to- make a big clog up industry."

The trickle down effect will be- felt all the way down, at the - junior college and prep - levels... the latter being the- - - - most recent casualty of cancele- seasons, on wednesday... by - the mississippi high school - activities association.

- "i was really just disappointed you go through your whole high- school career - waiting for your senior year of- high school, and it's just a- shame that i can't spend my - senior year baseball season wit- my teammates and my best friend- and my- - - - coaches that i've built great - relationships with.

And overall- i think i was just- disappointed.

It just sucks."

Keith and the indians only got- to play 11 games, this season..- before losing the rest of it, t- covid-19.

- and so it's the 20-19 campaign- keith will be remembered by...- leading big red with a .527 - batting average... to go along- with- team-highs, in on-base- percentage... slugging... - - - - runs... r-b-i... doubles... - triples... home runs... and - walks... all while- striking out... just eight- times.- "the way i play, i play like it's my last game every game i- play so i'm glad that i play- that- - - - way.

Because in this situation- it could have been that way.

I'- forever going to be - like that because it could end- in an instant.

You could get an- injury.

This virus- could happen and cancel the - season, so i think for me and i- encourage other - - - - baseball players too, always- play like it's your last game."

- keith says it's still too soon- to tell... but remains hopeful- for an opportunity, to give - proper recognition... to- his senior class... of 20-20.