The North Carolina high school baseball player of the year will be matriculating to N.C. State after all. Carlos Rodon, a lefthanded pitcher who led Holly Springs to the state 4-A championship this season, will not sign with the Milwaukee Brewers, according to his mother Julie Rodon.

Carlos was drafted by the Brewers in the 16th round (491st overall) of the Major League Baseball Draft in June. All drafted players had until midnight tonight to reach an agreement with their respective MLB team.

"He told us Saturday that he did not even want to pursue anything else (but college). He was done," Julie Rodon said. "He waited a long time and then he just decided that school was the better route, so that's what he decided on."

By not signing with Milwaukee, Carlos Rodon will play the next three seasons at N.C. State. Rodon committed to play for the Wolfpack as a rising junior and signed his letter-of-intent last fall.

Julie Rodon said that the Brewers did come close signing Carlos, but that Carlos had a change of heart before moving into his apartment this past weekend. She said Carlos is ready to begin school at NCSU.

"He was honored that he was selected in the draft," Julie said, "but orientation started today and school starts on Wednesday. He can't sit around too much longer."

Originally, Rodon was projected by most outlets as being a top-five-round selection, but fell hundreds of picks later was what baseball pundits call "signability." The Rodons stated that it would take an amount closer to what is offered supplemental round draft picks (i.e. $750,000 signing bonuses) to steer Carlos away from his college plans.

On draft day, the Brewers actually called Rodon in the fourth round to ask if he would sign for the normal signing bonus in that round, which is about $250,000. When Carlos declined, he fell 12 more rounds.

Rodon struck out 135 batters in his senior season, the most in the Triangle, and posted a 1.40 ERA. Over his past three seasons, he went 23-2 as a starter. During a complete-game two-hit shutout in the first game of the 4-A championship series, his fastball was clocked at 93 mph in the first inning and only trailed off to 90 mph by the seventh.

Rodon was one of four area high school players to be drafted in this year's MLB Draft. Jason Creasey of Clayton (drafted by Pittsburgh Pirates) has long since signed to play in the minor leagues and is already playing Rookie League ball. He had, like Rodon, signed with N.C. State. Baseball America is reporting that Pinecrest graduate Dillon Maples -- who was set to play baseball for UNC and potentially contribute at punter for football -- has signed with the Chicago Cubs. Green Hope graduate Max Povse has already stated he will matriculate to UNC-Greensboro.