Chad Wilson Photo Brad McDonald posted a stellar sophomore season for the Bears batting .413 with 17 extra base hits. Before winning four World Series championships with the New York Yankees, shortstop Derek Jeter played his high school ball at Central High School in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He graduated with a 3.82 GPA and finished 21 in his class of 250 students.

Jeter played on the varsity baseball team for three seasons, 1990-1992, posting a high school career batting average of .481. He declined an offer to attend the University of Michigan to sign with the Yankees as they selected him in the 1992 mlb draft.

Brownsboro's Brad McDonald, a fan of Yankee third baseman Alex Rodriguez, just finished his second season on the varsity level. McDonald and Jeter each posted similar sophomore seasons at short stop.

Jeter, a right handed batter, batted .333 in sixty at bats his sophomore season while driving in 25 runs with six extra base hits. McDonald, a left handed batter, batted .413 this season in 75 at bats driving in 14 runs on 17 extra base hits.

Derek Jeter The statistical comparison is very similar but one of the most important characteristics each shortstop shares is their leadership on the field.

Brownsboro head coach Joe Fleming said McDonald is a "student of the game" and is always thinking baseball. McDonald has learned at a young age, 16, how to read the ball off the bat, something Fleming said is key to his ability to get to balls most short stops would not.

The coaches of District 14-3A agree that McDonald is a top-notch short stop. Coaches named McDonald the All-District First Team short stop with a unanimous vote. McDonald was named to the second team last season after taking over at short.

While Jeter may not lead the league in most offensive categories he his the captain of the Yankees. His display of on-field leadership is something that makes the shortstop an annual all-star.

Both Jeter and McDonald display a strong arm at short. McDonald has seen playing time as a pitcher in each of the last two seasons.

McDonald is 5'10" while Jeter was drafted at 6'3", 175lbs. If McDonald continues to grow he could be a serious college prospect. Coach Fleming believes that McDonald could play college baseball now, but that a few extra pounds and an increase in height could land McDonald at a top-level university.

If the comparison to Jeter is not impressive enough McDonald also has similar numbers to Atlanta Braves third baseman Chipper Jones.

Jones was drafted in June 1990 as a short stop by the Braves. In his sophomore year at The Bolles School in Florida he batted .375 in 96 at bats. He had 36 hits (14 for extra bases), scored 27 runs, had 26 RBI and 13 stolen bases.

Like McDonald, Jones was also used as a pitcher in high school because of his strong arm. In 1991 Jones was 6'3'' and weighed 185. He was named the school MVP three times and a 3-time all state selection.

Could Brad McDonald become the next Chipper Jones or Derek Jeter? Will he reach the major leagues or even the minor leagues?

Only time will tell. Next season McDonald will return to the diamond for the Bears and will turn some heads in the process.

The District 14-3A All-District team will be announced in next week's Statesman.