History was made once again for Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School on Sunday, July 12, when RGNS alumnus Dylan Alonso was drafted in the 16th round of the Major League Baseball (MLB) Draft to the Kansas City Royals.
Alonso, who is Rabun Gap’s first-ever alumnus to be drafted to the MLB, was selected with the 479th overall pick.
He is just the second graduate of Rabun Gap to be drafted to one of the four major sports leagues – NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL – along with Marlin Klein who was drafted in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans.
Alonso is the fourth former RGNS player to take their baseball career to the MLB.
“The first time I met Dylan we started by just having a catch at the Rabun Gap field. I immediately knew deep down this kid was different and could profile as a draft pick,” said Rabun Gap head baseball coach Clark Wright. “However, I did not mention this to him so that he would be hungry and humble – two of our program’s biggest pillars.
“He throws the ball with little effort and it comes out like a bullet,” Wright said. “Once he continued to develop his off-speed, it was the game changer as he now has a plus-plus breaker and a plus slider.
“I am extremely proud of his hard work and how he has shifted into a professional mindset. The craziest part of this athlete is that he is not even close to his full potential,” Wright said. “He will continue to make great strides and if he stays laser focused he will be a major leaguer for the Kansas City Royals. The Rabun Gap family is extremely proud of Dylan Alonso.”
“Dylan has been one of the most enjoyable players to coach in my career,” Rabun Gap assistant baseball coach Pearce Wright said in a shared response. “He brings a positive, fun and hungry mindset to practice every single day. He loves getting better and learning how to perfect his craft. Because of how much he loves the game and preparing for it, there is no limit to his potential.”
Alonso played collegiate baseball most recently at Troy University, where he and the Trojans made the College World Series for the first time in program history. Prior to his one season at Troy, Alonso played at Middle Tennessee State University as a freshman and Columbia State Community College in Tennessee as a sophomore.
His lone season at Troy was his best season of his collegiate career, as he posted a career-high 60 strikeouts with a 5.11 earned run average (ERA) in 49.1 innings. In total, Alonso made 28 appearances – four of which as a starter – and posted a 4-3 overall record with seven saves.
During Alonso’s high-school playing days, he spent time at both Rabun Gap and Rabun County High School, playing his final two prep years at RGNS and graduating from the school in 2023. Alonso’s younger brother Chase Alonso is a rising junior for the Eagles’ baseball program as well.
“We are thankful for the community support, the many great coaches, teachers, that have supported him along this journey,” Alonso’s family said in a shared response. “Especially coach Wright, Kehren, & Coach Meade. As a family we couldn’t be more proud of him with the many hours of sacrifice, commitment, hard work and dedication. For all those who have a dream it can become a reality if one perseveres.”
During those two years with the Eagles, the school’s baseball program posted a 34-12-1 record, led by Alonso – who was a two-time All-Conference selection – and several other Division I standouts. As a senior, Alonso and Rabun Gap made the North Carolina Independent School Athletic Association (NCISAA) Final Four, following a quarterfinal run in his junior season.
Alonso will begin his career and path to the MLB through the Royals’ minor league “farm system,” the organization’s minor league affiliates which allows all teams to develop younger players like Alonso, until they are ready for the major league.