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Brewers’ First Rounder Covey Hopes To Sign

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Dylan Covey says his friends and family celebrated so much that the house started shaking when the Brewers drafted him tonight. Covey was excited to be chosen in the first round, but the 18-year-old right-hander admits he has a lot to learn about the team that selected him.


“I know they have a slide in the outfield and that’s about it,” he said. “I don’t even think I know how to spell Milwaukee.”

He does know that he wants to start his pro career soon. Covey sounds willing to sign, though he has a college scholarship offer.

“I’m not completely writing college off,” he said. “But there’s a pretty good chance – I would say a really good chance – that I’ll sign.”

Covey and Brewers GM Doug Melvin have until August 16th to work out a deal.

Red Sox Near Agreements With Vitek, Brentz

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Red Sox first rounder Kolbrin Vitek said tonight that he has a "verbal agreement" in place with the Red Sox. Vitek, a 21-year-old college infielder, said on a conference call that he expects to start his pro career soon, since he and the Red Sox have exchanged figures and come to an informal agreement. Alex Speier of WEEI.com hears that Vitek will sign for slot money ($1.36MM in 2009).

GM Theo Epstein said the club is also close to an agreement with supplemental round pick Bryce Brentz. Nothing is official yet, but Epstein says the club could make an announcement or two soon.

"We might have something to announce in the next couple days, pending physicals," Epstein said.

The Red Sox spoke to Vitek, a two-way player in college, about playing third base and that's where he expects to play. Vitek says third base is a  "pretty comfortable" position for him, since he played there his sophomore year.

The Red Sox expect to spend considerably more time negotiating a deal with supplemental rounder Anthony Ranaudo, a Scott Boras client.

Supplemental Round Results

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Here are the results from the 2010 supplemental draft, as MLB scouting directors re-evaluate their draft boards in preparation for tomorrow's selections:

33. Astros – Michael Kvasnicka

34. Blue Jays – Aaron Sanchez

35. Braves – Matthew Lipka

36. Red Sox – Bryce Brentz

37. Angels – Taylor Lindsey

38. Blue Jays – Noah Syndergaard

39. Red Sox - Anthony Ranaudo

40. Angels – Ryan Bolden

41. Blue Jays – Asher Wojciechowski

42. Rays – Drew Vettleson

43. Mariners – Taijuan Walker

44. Tigers – Nick Castellanos

45. Rangers – Luke Jackson

46. Cardinals – Seth Blair

47. Rockies – Peter Tago

48. Tigers – Chance Ruffin

49. Rangers – Mike Olt

50. Cardinals – Tyrell Jenkins

2010 MLB Draft Results

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Ever since the A's called Rick Monday's name 45 years ago, teams have relied on the MLB draft to stock their systems with talented young players. Today, teams have the chance to draft the next Joe Mauer (1st overall, 2001), the next Carl Crawford (52nd overall, 1999) or the next Albert Pujols (13th round, 1999). Or, they could end up with the next Matt Bush (1st overall, 2004).

Here's this year's draft order, from River Ave. Blues, to be updated after each selection (links go to MLB.com):

  1. Nationals – Bryce Harper
  2. Pirates – Jameson Taillon
  3. Orioles – Manny Machado
  4. Royals – Christian Colon
  5. Indians – Drew Pomeranz
  6. Diamondbacks – Barret Loux
  7. Mets – Matt Harvey
  8. Astros – Delino DeShields Jr.
  9. Padres – Karsten Whitson
  10. Athletics – Michael Choice
  11. Blue Jays – Deck McGuire
  12. Reds – Yasmani Grandal
  13. White Sox – Chris Sale
  14. Brewers – Dylan Covey
  15. Rangers – Jake Skole
  16. Cubs – Hayden Simpson
  17. Rays – Josh Sale
  18. Angels – Kaleb Cowart
  19. Astros – Michael Foltynewicz
  20. Red Sox – Kolbrin Vitek
  21. Twins – Alex Wimmers
  22. Rangers – Kellin Deglan
  23. Marlins – Christian Yelich
  24. Giants – Gary Brown
  25. Cardinals – Zack Cox
  26. Rockies – Kyle Parker
  27. Phillies – Jesse Biddle
  28. Dodgers – Zach Lee
  29. Angels – Cam Bedrosian
  30. Angels – Chevez Clarke
  31. Rays – Justin O'Conner
  32. Yankees – Cito Culver

Click here for the results of Compensation Round A, picks #33-50.

Nationals Select Bryce Harper

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It's a good week to be a Nationals fan. Just a day before Stephen Strasburg is expected to make his MLB debut, the Nationals selected their next top prospect with the first overall pick of the Rule 4 draft. As expected, GM Mike Rizzo and scouting director Kris Kline decided on Bryce Harper, a power-hitting teenager from Nevada. 

Last year, the Nationals drafted Strasburg first overall and added Drew Storen later in the first round. Those two pitchers provide Harper with a tough act to follow, but the scouting reports suggest his play will justify the hype. The buzz started last year, when Harper appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a 16-year-old, and it hasn't stopped. But Harper played so well that draft experts and scouts continued raving about the Southern Nevada Junior College product.

Harper, a 17-year-old who plays catcher, outfield and third, won't be catching for long if adviser Scott Boras has his way. However, Kline told MASN.com's Ben Goessling that "there's a chance [Harper] stays behind the plate." In their official press release, the Nationals referred to Harper as an outfielder.

Despite questions about Harper's character, Kline says it's important to consider everything Harper has had to manage at such a young age.

"I think he's handled it tremendously," Kline said. "I think he's a good kid."

The Nationals have until August 16th to negotiate a deal with Harper and Boras. Since Harper's deal will presumably be worth close to $10MM and could exceed the record Mark Teixeira set for position players ($9.5MM), the Nationals may face pressure from MLB not to announce the terms of the agreement even if they reach one before August.

Harper's older brother Bryan is also draft-eligible this year, so a second Harper could be selected before long. 

Draft Links: Ruffin, Pomeranz, Grandal, Wolters

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The draft is underway, and we've got another round of links.

  • Mayo hears that the Indians will take Drew Pomeranz and the D'Backs will take Barret Loux (Twitter link).
  • Heyman hears that the Nationals will take Harper, the Pirates will take Jameson Taillon and the O's will take Manny Machado (Twitter link).
  • The White Sox could take Grandal if he's available when they select 13th overall, according to MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo (via Twitter).
  • In what would be a surprising move, the Reds appear ready to take Chance Ruffin 12th overall, according to Law.
  • Law hears that Pomeranz is sliding and that teams are having "uh-oh" moments because they didn't discuss him enough (Twitter links).
  • Padres executive Paul DePodesta explains that the draft has slowed down over the years. That gives teams the chance to breathe a little more easily between selections.
  • An Orioles official told Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun that the team will likely pick Manny Machado third overall.
  • It looks like the D'Backs will take a college pitcher with their first round pick, but Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic hears they aren't likely to take lefty Drew Pomeranz.
  • The Indians have topped the Royals' predraft offer of $2.9MM to Miami catcher Yasmani Grandal, reports Frankie Piliere of AOL Fanhouse.  Piliere still believes the Royals will take Grandal at #4, but the original agreement is off.  ESPN's Keith Law, meanwhile, heard that the Royals and Grandal had not even discussed money as of Saturday evening.  Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star tweets that the Royals prefer Grandal but are "taking a hard look" at Florida Gulf Coast lefty Chris Sale.  Law has the Royals taking Sale, in a recent chat comment. 
  • Baseball Prospectus' Kevin Goldstein tweets that high school infielder Tony Wolters is in play for the Angels, Blue Jays, and Braves in the late first round or the first compensation round.  Piliere sees the Braves at #35.
  • Goldstein tweets that high school outfielder Drew Vettleson looks like a potential first-round pick, maybe to the Dodgers at #28 (matching the prediction of Baseball America's Jim Callis).  Law has heard Vettleson as a possibility for the Dodgers, Rays, and Yankees.
  • FanGraphs' David Cameron explains that Bryce Harper doesn't necessarily have more value as a catcher than an outfielder.
  • Cameron's colleague Bryan Smith looks at recent draft picks that were questioned at the time they were made.
  • Alex Speier of WEEI outlines Boston's shift toward drafting for impact players starting in '06.
  • SI's Jon Heyman names the biggest booms and busts in draft history. 

Latest Mock Drafts

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Check here for the latest mock drafts from the nation's experts.

Pierzynski Open To A Trade

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A.J. Pierzynski told Scott Merkin of MLB.com that he's open to a trade, though he'd prefer to see the White Sox start winning so he isn't tempted to go anywhere. The 33-year-old catcher, who will have no-trade rights after he sees his ten and five rights kick in June 14th, would consider leaving Chicago.

"Obviously, if the White Sox aren't where we want to be and a team has a chance for the playoffs and to win the World Series and they come and say, 'Hey, we need a catcher,' it would be hard to say no to that,"
 Pierzynski said.

Pierzynski repeated his desire to stay in Chicago, where he has played since 2005, but pointed to Jim Thome, who played in the postseason with the Dodgers after leaving the White Sox in a summer 2009 trade. The chance to play playoff baseball would make it hard for Pierzynski to say no to a deal.

Ken Rosenthal reported this weekend that Pierzynski would probably approve a trade. The White Sox have since become sellers and could match up with clubs that need help behind the plate.

The Brewers lost Gregg Zaun, though they may be reluctant to take on the $4MM remaining on Pierzynski's $6.25MM salary in a season when they're well below .500. The Brewers will consider options, but GM Doug Melvin says a deal for Pierzynski is unlikely. The Rangers reportedly asked about Pierzynski last month and while they don't seem likely to add much salary, they could use catching help.

Odds & Ends: Strasburg, Cubs, Whitesell

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Baseball's draft begins at 6pm CST today.  I'll be hosting a live chat here at MLBTR.  Beyond the draft, your afternoon linkage…

Brewers Release Jeff Suppan

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The Brewers released pitcher Jeff Suppan, reports Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.  By my calculation, the Brewers still owe Suppan $10.08MM, which includes a $2MM buyout after the season.

Suppan has spent most of the 2010 season in mop-up duty, posting a 7.48 ERA, 5.0 K/9, and 3.7 BB/9 in 21.6 relief innings.  He's been a release candidate dating back to spring.  Brewers GM Doug Melvin, who signed Suppan to a four-year, $42MM deal in December of '06, had this to say:

"Jeff has always been a true professional.  He gave his best effort to the organization, whether it was on the field or in the community.  I am confident that he can return to a starting rotation with another organization.  We wish Jeff and his family nothing but the best."

Melvin was overly optimistic to think Suppan was ever anything other than a high 4.00s ERA innings eater, as that's what he was even in his '06 platform year.  A strong postseason record may have inflated Suppan's price.  On a conference call with Brewers beat writers, Melvin alluded to the many bad free agent pitching contracts signed that winter.

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