Standing 6-foot-4, 220-pounds, the self-proclaimed ?big ole country boy,? Corey Embree, has caught the eye of MLB scouts.  And based on projections, it will be no ?big ole? surprise when this standout player from Moberly HS gets selected in June?s Major League Draft. Corey possesses a rare blend of power and speed and a powerful stroke with considerable power to right center.  This past season, he also threw 94 mph from the outfield and ran a 6.76 60.  Those impressive numbers have set Corey up for a great senior year, a year full of high expectations for himself and by all of the residents of Moberly, MO.

 

Coming from a small town in central Missouri, there has been a buzz circulating since last season about Corey?s abilities and potential to be the first player from Moberly to be drafted in recent memory. Drawing comparisons to his good friend Chuckie Jones from Boonville ? drafted in the 7^th round by San Francisco Giants in 2010 ? it looks like central Missouri will once again have a top 10 round draft pick to celebrate.

 

?I don?t feel the pressure to perform, and just try to do my best,? says Embree on the high expectations and attention he is receiving. ?I want to enjoy my last high school season and fulfill my goal of winning a district championship. I am really soaking it all in with my family and friends, and the dream I have had of playing pro ball is now no longer a dream, it is becoming a reality.?

 

In addition to the MLB teams, Embree received interest from top programs such as Arizona State and Mizzou. He eventually committed to Maplewoods College in Kansas City.  The fact that they are ?determined to make ball players better? really made Corey feel comfortable, and of all of the coaches and schools he visited, Maplewoods just seemed like the right fit.  Maplewoods is known for recruiting the top players out of high school and helping them move on to both Division 1 schools and the draft.  If Corey has his way, he will not be in Kansas City when school starts in August; he will be playing professionally.  Maplewoods understood the gamble that they took when they signed Corey, and according to him, ?are very supportive of whatever decision I make when June arrives.?

 

According to Chuck Embree, Corey?s father, ?From the time he was a toddler, baseball is all Corey wanted to do and showed a love of the game. He used to carry around one of those big, oversized bats all over the place. From the time he was nine-years-old, he (Corey) always played up a year or two. As a nine year old, he made the All Star team in the eleven year old division.?

 

?This is an exciting but scary time for us, and we have been digesting as much information as possible in preparation.  Corey is a quiet and humble person who doesn?t like to talk about himself, and is getting used to the recognition and knows what he needs to be successful,? says Chuck.

While the season is a few weeks away and Corey is busy preparing for the season, he still finds time to relax, and Corey?s favorite way to relax is working on cars. ?Camaro?s are my favorite cars. I drive a 96? Camaro.?

Corey will be in St. Louis on Monday, February 21^st to show his talents at the Prospect ID Showcase, which will be the last time for scouts to see him before the season begins.  Look for Corey to muscle his way towards accomplishing his dream while driving his muscle cars.