Recent Calhoun graduate Josh Schubert said baseball is simply what he loves to do.

Next week, Schubert is probably going to get the chance to do what he loves for a living.

The highly-heralded prospect is likely to be taken in the MLB Draft which starts on Monday and runs through Wednesday.

“We’ve been hearing a lot of different things from the scouts, but almost all of them have been saying they like my talent,” said Schubert. “So I’m keeping my hopes high that I’m probably going to go somewhere in the top 10 rounds.”

Schubert recently completed his senior season for Chip Henderson and the Yellow Jackets, and he capped off his career in style. He batted .447 with six home runs, nine doubles and three triples to help the Jackets to a Region 7-AA title and a third-round state playoff appearance. He also played a stellar center field and went 6-1 with a 2.68 ERA in his time on the mound.

Schubert and the Jackets’ season came to an end a couple weeks ago at the hands of Lovett in the Elite Eight as the visiting Lions rallied from a 4-1 deficit in the final inning of Game 3 of the series to eliminate Calhoun with a 6-5 loss.

Now that he’s had time to reflect, Schubert said he wouldn’t change anything about his final high school season.

“I think it actually went a lot better than I expected,” said Schubert. “I was a little worried about our team at the first of the season, but we regrouped and ended up doing really well.

“Of course I would’ve liked to beat Lovett and keep going in the playoffs, but that’s baseball. Sometimes things don’t go your way, but I’ve got no problem with our season overall.”

Once the season ended, Schubert quickly focused on the next step, summer ball and getting ready for the upcoming draft. Schubert plays for the 18-under East Cobb Yankees, one of the top amateur teams in the country, and is coached by James Beavers.

“I’ve been doing a lot just to keep sharp,” said Schubert. “I’ve been working out, playing summer ball and trying to get better any way I can.”

Schubert recently signed a baseball scholarship to play collegiately at High Point in North Carolina. However, with his almost certain impending draft selection, he will more than likely have to decide to take the college route or head straight into the marathon process known as the minor leagues. If he chooses college, he will not be eligible again for the MLB Draft until after his junior season.

“My philosophy as a person is that no one is guaranteed tomorrow and every day you get to wake up is a blessing,” said Schubert. “So I would like to start professionally as quick as possible, but it’s going to depend a lot on the situation.

“I know my family is going to be a big part of the decision, but I honestly have no idea which way I’m going to go right now.”

Schubert said one good thing about going through Calhoun is that there’s been guys recently come through the program that have gone through being a highly-rated prospect and the draft process. One of those is Charlie Culberson, who was drafted as the No. 51 overall selection by the San Francisco Giants in 2007 and recently made his Major League debut.

“I’ve talked to Charlie recently, and he just told me that it’s going to be a struggle but to just stay humble and have fun,” said Schubert. “Seeing him make it to the Majors was a big motivation for me, and I want to do everything I can to be there some day.”

Schubert’s parents, Shawn and Cathy, have been there through the process the entire way for all the games Josh has played and all the talks with the scouts and teams interested.

“It’s been exciting, scary, but mostly an education on how things could go,” said Shawn Schubert. “We’ve always known he’s talented and thought baseball would get him a scholarship to college, and then there’s always that dream of the Majors.

“Josh has used his God-given talent and hard work to put himself in this position to be drafted to play at this level.”

The journey that started when Schubert was four years old playing tee-ball when he lived in California has led him up to this point. Schubert said he remembers his grandfather telling his mother that he’s got something special and to do whatever it took to keep Josh in baseball. He said he also remembers the first time seeing a major-league game, he knew that’s where he wanted to be.

Now that the journey to professional baseball is so close he can taste it, Schubert said it still feels like it’s never going to get here.

“I’m just ready for it to come and be over with so I know what I’m doing next,” said Schubert. “I’ve worked hard to be the best ball player I can be and have tried to stay humble and not brag too much. I just really wish (the Draft) would hurry up and get here.

“Right now, I’m just trying to relax and not think too much about it. I’ve just got to hope for the best.”

The MLB Draft will begin on Monday with the first round being televised on the MLB Network. Rounds 2-15 will start at noon on Tuesday, and rounds 16-40 will start at noon on Wednesday. MLB.com will stream live rounds 2-40.