By WESLEY HALLMAN / Sports Editor

Spain Park High School senior Mikey White didn’t fall to the 34th round of the 2012 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft based on his talent level.

The New York Mets, who eventually tabbed White late in the draft, would have taken a chance on him much earlier if he had any interest in signing a professional contract in the next month.

However, after mulling over the decision between an imminent professional playing career or a collegiate career at the University of Alabama, White chose the latter option and let professional suitors know about his decision ahead of the draft.

“I just felt like if I got drafted and signed a contract, I would be (playing minor league baseball) with a feeling in my stomach that I would rather be playing at Alabama with my friends.”

White, who caught the eyes of Mets scouts after his freshman season at Spain Park, batted .388 with a team-high nine homers while also driving in 37 runs and stealing 19 bases as a senior. On the mound, the right-hander finished with an 8-2 mark and a 1.13 earned run average while striking out 61 batters.

While he has decided to play at Alabama, White, the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year, said he appreciated the Mets organization for their interest in him.

“The Mets have been on me for a while,” White said. “I got the chance to wear a Mets uniform on a couple of scout teams. It’s been really cool meeting their personnel.”