Seven players with Cobb County ties were selected Tuesday on the second day of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

Matthew Price, a pitcher at Virginia Tech and former Walker School standout, was taken in the eighth round by the Boston Red Sox. Following in the 15th round were Pope infielder Steve Wilkerson, who also was selected by Boston, and Kennesaw State pitcher Ryan Rodebaugh, a former Sprayberry player drafted by the Texas Rangers.

The seven locals drafted Tuesday followed Marietta standout Chevez Clarke, who was taken by the Los Angeles Angels in Monday's first round.

Price, the older brother of current Walker ace Kannon Price, was part of a record-setting seven Hokies taken on the second day of the draft. Drafted by the Atlanta Braves out of high school in the 34th round of the '08 draft, the sophomore was draft-eligible because he will turn 21 before the MLB cut-off date. He made 15 starts and two relief appearances in 2010, going 7-4 with a 4.95 ERA and 85 strikeouts in 91 innings.

"One of my goals was to get in the top 10 (rounds), so I'm pretty happy about where I was taken," Price said of his decisions to spurn the Braves in and attend college after his initial drafting. "I also wanted to experience college first before going out into the real world. I'm pretty excited. A part of me wanted the Braves to pick me again, but to hear my name called with an organization like Boson is a great honor.

"Nothing's set in stone yet. I'm going to negotiate with Boston on terms and go from there before I make any decisions."

Wilkerson was rated in the top 20 of Baseball America's top draft prospects from the state of Georgia and was the second-highest rated player from the area. His .308 batting average in 78 at-bats was the fifth-highest on the Greyhounds' roster, while his 17 RBIs ranked third.

"I didn't have any expectations going into the draft," said Wilkerson, who has signed with Clemson. "I'm just happy with what happened. When I found out that Boston drafted me, I was thinking, 'This couldn't get any better.'"

Rodebaugh was Kennesaw State's Friday night starter in 2010. He concluded his junior season with a 4.67 ERA in 79 innings.

"(Being drafted) is something I've strived for since I started playing," Rodebaugh said. "Playing in the major leagues is the ultimate goal, so I'm excited for the opportunity. Nothing's for sure just yet. It's a good year to go, but I'll have to wait and see."

Other local selections included Wheeler's Dale Carey to Pittsburgh, Kennesaw State's Tyler Stubblefield (San Diego) and Josh Whitaker (Oakland) and former Sprayberry star Jamaal Hawkins (Minnesota).

Carey, who has a scholarship to play at Miami, was selected in the 21st by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has already been in contact with the Pirates organization and will weigh his options over the summer.

"Right now, Pittsburgh said they will follow me through the summer and we'll keep the lines of communication open," Carey said.

"I'm in a real nice situation. I can play professionally or go with a scholarship to a great program like Miami. I can play there for three years and then get drafted. I'm anxious to see what happens. It's a win-win situation."

Stubblefield, an infielder, was selected in the 22nd round by the San Diego Padres. The senior, who was selected by the Braves in the 33rd round of last year's draft, finished his career with over 200 hits.

Whitaker, another Kennesaw State infielder, was chosen by the Oakland Athletics in the 25th round. He concluded his junior season with 71 hits and a .317 batting average.

In addition to Rodebaugh, Stubblefield and Whitaker, Kennesaw State has had four of its incoming signees selected, giving the Owls' seven current or future players drafted, just shy of the nine total taken in '09.

Hawkins, the former Sprayberry standout now at Jacksonville University, was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 28th round. He batted .332 with 50 RBIs for the Dolphins this past season.