Julia Maenius
Assistant Sports Communications Director
University of Georgia Athletic Association
University of Georgia slugger Charlie Condon made history Sunday evening as the highest drafted Bulldog selected in the first round of the Major League Baseball draft.
Condon, a 6-6, 216-pound third baseman/outfielder went third overall to the Colorado Rockies. Condon passed Jeff Pyburn, who went fifth to the San Diego Padres in 1980.
“It is super exciting stuff to be part of an organization that has got so much history in such a cool ballpark with really great people within the organization all around,” Condon said. “It has been awesome. All I can think about is my teammates at UGA who have propelled me into this position. I would not be here without you guys. I will always remember that.”
He inked himself in the Georgia record books earlier this season, becoming the first Bulldog to win The Golden Spikes Award, the Dick Howser Trophy and the Bobby Bragan National Collegiate Slugger Award.
Condon, the 2024 SEC Player of the Year, was tabbed consensus All-American and Player of the Year by Baseball America, D1Baseball and Perfect Game.
In his Bulldog career, the Marietta, Ga. native became the third player in NCAA history to lead the nation in both batting average (.433) and home runs (37) in the same season. Condon also led the NCAA in slugging percentage (1.009), home runs per game (.62) and OPS (1.565). He also tallied a team-high 57 walks, including 28 intentional free passes in the 2024 season, while playing in five positions in the field for the Bulldogs.
In his rookie campaign, Condon posted one of the greatest freshman and overall seasons in school history, batting .385 with 25 home runs and 67 RBI to capture the team’s Triple Crown. Named the SEC Freshman of the Year, he was consensus Freshman of the Year and set the SEC Freshman Home Run record with 25 as he hit at least one home run in every SEC series while batting .339-16-30 in league play. Additionally, Condon, a Finance major, was a two-time SEC Academic Honor Roll honoree.
Condon is the highest drafted Bulldog in Georgia baseball history, and he is the first under first-year Ike Cousins head baseball coach Wes Johnson. With the addition of Condon, Georgia has had 12 players selected in the first round (including compensation and competitive balance picks).
“Drafting Charlie this high is a testament to his incredible work ethic and dedication,” Johnson said. “It highlights that with perseverance and hard work, it is possible to develop to an elite level, even if you weren't highly recruited out of high school. His journey reflects the unwavering support and guidance from his parents and the invaluable contributions of all the coaches who helped shape his talent and character. This achievement is not only a personal victory for Charlie but also a proud moment for the University of Georgia and its baseball program.”
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