MLB.com Geeking on the Drafttag:,2008-03-29:/2352008-07-09T18:55:47ZJonathan Mayo brings you the word on the streetMovable Type 4.14-en-trunk--20080321First rounders starting to signtag:draft.mlblogs.com,2008://235.3678612008-07-09T18:15:22Z2008-07-09T18:55:47ZSee what happens when I stay away from here for a little while? A few guys actually sign, though still relatively nothing to report from the Top 10 front...No. 12 overall Jemile Weeks signed with the A's. He was in...drafthttp://www.minorleaguebaseball.com No. 12 overall Jemile Weeks signed with the A's. He was in Oakland on Tuesday, but got overshadowed by the big Rich Harden trade. Rickie's younger brother will go to full-season Kane County in the Midwest League to begin his career. Reported bonus: $1.9 million.
The 19th pick in the draft, Andrew Cashner, has reportedly come to terms with the Cubs. He may workout with the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Thursday. Reported bonus: $1.54 million.
No. 21 Ryan Perry has reportedly signed with the Tigers. He should start out in Class A Advanced Lakeland and could see Detroit's bullpen in September. Reported bonus: $1.48 million.
Missed this one last week, but the Twins did sign No. 27 pick Carlos Gutierrez. The University of Miami closer will head to Class A Advanced Fort Myers. Reported bonus: $1.25 million. ]]>
Some first-round signingstag:draft.mlblogs.com,2008://235.3541212008-07-02T01:54:43Z2008-07-02T02:20:56Zdrafthttp://www.minorleaguebaseball.com No. 13 overall pick Brett Wallace was in St. Louis today with the announcement he had officially come to terms with the Cardinals. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch report, the bonus was $1.84 million. He got to take BP at Busch Stadium this afternoon and it's his bat that should carry him quickly to the big leagues. Interestingly, the Cards evidently think he'll continue to improve at third base and will be able to stay at that position, an opinion that would be a minority one if you were to poll most scouting directors, I'm sure. Wallace will head to Quad Cities in the Midwest League to begin his pro career.
Anthony Hewitt, one of the fastest risers as the draft came around, ended up going No. 24 overall to the Phillies. There was some question about what it would take to sign him away from his Vanderbilt commitment. Evidently, it was $1.38 million. He'll get to take the obligatory batting practice in the big-league park before heading down to Clearwater to get some Gulf Coast League time in. A shortstop in high school that no one really felt would play short, it seems like the Phils will let Hewitt play third (many felt center field might be the best place for him). But he does have some pretty impressive raw power and could eventually develop the kind of pop you like from a corner infielder if he can show he has the glove to stay at the hot corner.
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Skip is a Marlintag:draft.mlblogs.com,2008://235.3414712008-06-25T15:41:05Z2008-06-25T15:48:53ZIt's official -- the Marlins have signed their first-round pick, No. 6 overall, SoCal HS catcher Kyle Skipworth. Skipworth and his family are in South Florida today and he's expected to take BP with the big-league club before reporting for...drafthttp://www.minorleaguebaseball.com Skipworth becomes the second top 10 pick to come to terms, after, of course, No. 1 pick Tim Beckham. ]]>
Signings trickling intag:draft.mlblogs.com,2008://235.3374212008-06-23T20:05:33Z2008-06-23T20:44:39ZDid you miss me? Even if you didn't, there've been a few more signings since last I updated... Nothing huge since the Tim Beckham signing, but figured I should be diligent in my attempts to keep you in the know...Boston:...drafthttp://www.minorleaguebaseball.com Boston:Red Sox sign four Chicago:White Sox sign 19 draftees Florida: Marlins agree to terms with 27 players Philadelphia: Phillies sign second-round pick Knapp | Phils ink sandwich pick Collier Milwaukee: Brewers sign supplemental first-rounder Odorizzi San Diego: Padres sign sandwich pick Decker Colorado: Rockies sign first-round pick Friedrich ]]>
Looking aheadtag:draft.mlblogs.com,2008://235.3326412008-06-20T03:29:40Z2008-06-20T03:51:21ZI promised a post on 2009, and I like to (most of the time), live up to my promises. In the interest of full disclosure, the folks over at Baseball America beat me to this one, writing about the underclassmen...drafthttp://www.minorleaguebaseball.com In the interest of full disclosure, the folks over at Baseball America beat me to this one, writing about the underclassmen showcase at the Urban Youth Academy on Monday. I was able to talk to a scout that was at the event, to get his take on the players there. Here's what he had to say, echoing some of the BA report and adding some additional names.
The biggest buzz indeed was around Bryce Harper, who the scout I spoke with said would have been the best high school player in the 2008 draft. Alas, he won't be eligible until 2011, so we'll have to wait on him. As for 2009 draft class guys...
The A List Tyler Matzek, LHP: Polished, fastball 89-91 mph, plus curve and changeup Beau Wright, LHP: Fastball 89-91 with a hammer. He struck out all five batters he faced and made them look bad in the process. Matt Hobgood, RHP: Big-bodies at 6-4, 240, with a power sinker at 91-94 mph to go along with a curve, slider and changeup
The B list Cameron Garfield, C James Needy, RHP: Didn't pitch well, but has been seen better and has a live arm and a 6-foot-6 frame Tanner Rust, C: A switch-hitting catcher. Is something. Jacob Marisnick, OF: Compared to Hunter Pence. A little raw, but with plenty of tools.
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T Beck is a Ray!tag:draft.mlblogs.com,2008://235.3320912008-06-19T20:14:34Z2008-06-19T20:28:07ZDon't know if you saw it, but it's now official: No. 1 overall pick Tim Beckham has signed with the Tampa Rays. Below is the official release from the Rays:ST. PETERSBURG, FL--The Tampa Bay Rays today signed shortstop Tim Beckham,...drafthttp://www.minorleaguebaseball.com ST. PETERSBURG, FL--The Tampa Bay Rays today signed shortstop Tim Beckham, the first overall pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. Beckham, 18, was drafted by the Rays out of Griffin High School in Griffin, GA on June 5. Beckham, who received a $6.15 million signing bonus, will report to the Rays Appalachian League affiliate in Princeton, W.V., to begin his professional career.
Baseball America ranked Beckham as the No. 1 high school prospect in the country entering the draft. The right-handed hitter batted .482 (53-for-110) with six home runs, 13 doubles, 41 RBI, 58 runs scored and 23 steals in his senior season, leading Griffin to the Region 4-A Championship and to its first state championship series since 1981.
"We are thrilled to add an athlete of Tim's talent and character to our organization," said Andrew Friedman, Rays Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. "That we were able to conclude the signing process just two weeks after the draft is a testament both to the relationship that our scouting staff formed with Tim and his family, and of course to Tim's enthusiasm for the game. He has true five-tool potential, and we look forward to helping him develop his unique abilities."
Among high school prospects entering the draft, Beckham was ranked by Baseball America as the No. 2 "best pure hitter," the No. 3 "best defensive player," and No. 2 "closest to the majors." ESPN.com and Baseball Prospectus ranked him as the No. 1 prospect in the 2008 draft.
Beckham hit .512 as a junior with six homers, six triples, nine doubles, 39 RBI and 20 stolen bases, earning honors as the 2007 Baseball America Youth Player of the Year. Last summer he was named the MVP of the Aflac All-American High School Baseball Classic in San Diego after leading the East to victory. Last August, Baseball America ranked him as the "best batting prospect" at the 2007 Area Code Games, held in Long Beach, Calif. Baseball America also tabbed him the No. 1 prospect in the East Coast Showcase in August 2007, "best batting prospect" and No. 3 prospect overall at the 2007 World Wood Bat Association tournament in Marietta, Ga., and the No. 4 prospect in his class at the 2006 WWBA tournament.
Beckham became the first No. 1 selection to be drafted out of a Georgia school since Mike Ivie (San Diego Padres) in 1970, and the third such player overall (also Ron Blomberg, New York Yankees, 1967).
The Rays also drafted Tim's oldest brother, Jeremy Beckham, an infielder out of Georgia Southern University, in the 17th round. Jeremy signed with the Rays on June 10 and is currently playing for the Princeton Devil Rays.
Twenty-four of the Rays 50 selections have now been signed to contracts.
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College World Series coveragetag:draft.mlblogs.com,2008://235.3310912008-06-19T03:32:17Z2008-06-19T03:43:53ZHey everyone. Every once in a while, I like to make sure that my colleagues get the love they deserve. Kevin Czerwinski, who's blog you can read over at Minor Leagues, Major Thoughts. He's got a bunch of links up...drafthttp://www.minorleaguebaseball.comMinor Leagues, Major Thoughts. He's got a bunch of links up there to the various features he's written so far. There have been 58 members of the 2008 draft class in Omaha and he's written about a bunch of them. Here's the list of features:
Do me and yourself a favor -- go and read some of this great work. Kevin C. works his tail off and this is a great way to get to know some future minor leaguers now.
I'll be back tomorrow with some 2009 talk... ]]>
Sign-o-rama, part Ctag:draft.mlblogs.com,2008://235.3283712008-06-17T17:16:17Z2008-06-17T18:23:34ZYou miss a few days and look what happens. Signings a-plenty. As of now, it looks like four first-rounders -- four of the top 30, that is -- have come to terms. No. 14 Aaron Hicks is the only guy...drafthttp://www.minorleaguebaseball.com No. 14 Aaron Hicks is the only guy in the top half of the first round to sign. He gets kudos, anyway, for being the only player with the, ahem, intestinal fortitude to show up in Orlando for the draft. All you other draftees, take note -- you missed a great celebration. Terrific story by our Mike Scarr, so check it out. He'll start out in the Gulf Coast League, in Ft. Myers, Florida.
We reported on No. 17 overall pick David Cooper signing in a previous post. As Jordan Bastian reported, he'll be in the NY-Penn League to start, with Auburn. The Doubledays open at home against the Batavia Muckdogs tonight. Tune in and listen on MiLB.com Gameday Audio.
No. 22 Reese Havens came to terms with the Mets, as did No. 33 pick Brad Holt. Both will get early tastes of the NY life and the Mets-Yankees rivalry as members of the Brooklyn Cyclones. The Cyclones open their season tonight against the Staten Island Yankees out on Coney Island.
No. 29 Lonnie Chisenhall is ready to go for the Indians and he had one of the best quotes I've seen about the whole process, one I wish all draftees would make their own credo: "I don't know why people hold out all summer. They're
missing a lot of time when they could be growing and getting at-bats
under their belts." Chisenhall will start in Mahoning Valley and the Scrappers open their season today at home against Williamsport tonight and you can listen to it live on MiLB.com Gameday Audio.
I'll be blogging on debuts and the like over on my Minors blog (how's that for synergy?), but will be back here later with more signings updates as well as stuff on the recent showcase at the Urban Youth Academy. ]]>
Sign-o-rama, part deuxtag:draft.mlblogs.com,2008://235.3227612008-06-13T01:45:11Z2008-06-13T02:10:17ZSome more signings announced for you, in addition to some interesting numbers from the 2008 draft.Oakland: A's sign six more, including second-rounder Tyson RossPhiladelphia: Phillies sign four morePittsburgh: Four more sign with PiratesSan Diego: Padres agree to terms with 25...drafthttp://www.minorleaguebaseball.cominteresting numbers from the 2008 draft.
While not officially on the Padres site yet, Tom Krasovic was reporting at the San Diego Union Tribune that the Padres had agreed to termswith both first rounder Allan Dykstra and supplemental pick Jaff Decker.
Jon Heyman over on SI.com reported the Mets had signed Reese Havens, the No. 22 overall pick in the draft. Again, nothing official yet on the club site. And the Marlins are close to officially signing No. 6 overall pick Kyle Skipworth.
More news on everything as it unfolds... ]]>
Sign-o-ramatag:draft.mlblogs.com,2008://235.3218412008-06-12T12:41:59Z2008-06-12T14:00:00Z Trying to find out which draft picks have signed with which teams is sometimes easier saidthan done. There doesn't seem to be a one-stop shopping place for such information. So I decided to try, as best I could, to...drafthttp://www.minorleaguebaseball.com
Trying to find out which draft picks have signed with which teams is sometimes easier
saidthan done. There doesn't seem to be a one-stop shopping place for such information. So I decided to try, as best I could, to become that signing warehouse. I'll try to throw up links to official announcements of signings whenever I can. Let's start with what I've been able to find thus far. Congrats to David Cooper for being the first first-round pick (top 30) to sign.
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Last minute updatetag:draft.mlblogs.com,2008://235.3123612008-06-05T15:17:28Z2008-06-05T16:28:04ZHey guys, coming at you live from the Milk House with a last-minute update on the top 30. Here's the latest, just with changes from my most recent mock. 13 -- St. Louis -- Could be Brett Wallace or Aaron...drafthttp://www.minorleaguebaseball.comrecent mock.
13 -- St. Louis -- Could be Brett Wallace or Aaron Hicks, though Friedrich still in the mix 16 Milwuakee -- Anthony Hewitt or Shooter Hunt, though Castro still in the mix 20 Seattle -- Looking like it could be Lance Lynn, with Josh Fields as a possible backup. 23 -- San Diego -- Looking at a bat, not an arm, maybe Allan Dykstra 24 Philadelphia -- Anthony Hewitt if he's there.
That's all I've got for now. Enjoy the coverage!!!! ]]>
Latest buzztag:draft.mlblogs.com,2008://235.3113312008-06-04T21:51:07Z2008-06-04T22:43:10ZGreetings from Orlando. I'm here at the Milk House at Disney's Wide World of Sports and preparations for tomorrow's draft are on-going. It's amazing how much you can feel out of the loop when you spend several hours flying...But I'm...drafthttp://www.minorleaguebaseball.com
It appears fairly certain the Reds will be taking University of Georgia shortstop with the No. 7 overall pick. They've long been associated with a variety of college players, mostly bats (Yonder Alonso) and also RHP Aaron Crow, but it's looking like the middle-infielder who's had a monster season for the super-regional bound Bulldogs (.397, 24 HR, 65 RBI, 1.286 OPS, 17 SB) will be joining the Reds organization tomorrow.
This time of year, bonus demand rumors are flying around. Some of them are actual demands. Some are not. Some can be floated to try to get specific players down to specific teams. Whatever the reason, the biggest rumors in this regard are surrounding FSU catcher Buster Posey and Miami 1B Yonder Alonso. Whether that affects either's draft status reamins to be seen.
How about a double-deal? While the Royals' interest in Eric Hosmer at
No. 3 overall gets most of the attention, they might have an interest
in one of Hosmer's teammates at American Heritage High School in
Florida. Catcher Adrian Nieto has been on their radar for a while with
later picks. The Royals have a pick in the sandwich round (36) and at
the top of the second round (49) and perhaps may want to make it an
American Heritage perfecta. Who knows, maybe taking Nieto will help
make sure they can get the Scott Boras-advised Hosmer in the fold.
That's it for now -- it'll be a long night and I'll try to check in periodically.
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More shameless self-promotiontag:draft.mlblogs.com,2008://235.3092212008-06-03T15:48:19Z2008-06-03T15:50:20ZGot an updated projection up on the big site now. Check it out and let me know your thoughts.Also, will be chatting with all comers at noon ET. I'll be back later with some more Geeking......drafthttp://www.minorleaguebaseball.comupdated projection up on the big site now. Check it out and let me know your thoughts.
Also, will be chatting with all comers at noon ET.
ST. PETERSBURG, FL--The Tampa Bay Rays today signed shortstop Tim Beckham, the first overall pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. Beckham, 18, was drafted by the Rays out of Griffin High School in Griffin, GA on June 5. Beckham, who received a $6.15 million signing bonus, will report to the Rays Appalachian League affiliate in Princeton, W.V., to begin his professional career. 
Trying to find out which draft picks have signed with which teams is sometimes easier
saidthan done. There doesn't seem to be a one-stop shopping place for such information. So I decided to try, as best I could, to become that signing warehouse. I'll try to throw up links to official announcements of signings whenever I can. Let's start with what I've been able to find thus far. Congrats to David Cooper for being the first first-round pick (top 30) to sign.