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2012 Amateur Draft

Gausman Unlikely To Sign With Orioles?

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9:15pm: Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun quotes Orioles scouting director Gary Rajsich (on Twitter) as saying that talks between the two sides are still progressing.

7:57pm: Kevin Gausman, the No. 4 overall pick in this year's draft is unlikely to sign with the Orioles because his heart is still with Louisiana State University, writes Albert Buford of the New Orleans Times-Picayune:

"This is turning out to be a tough decision, but as of now my heart is still with LSU," Gausman said. "There are still things for me to accomplish as a Tiger.  I still want to play in and win the College World Series, and with a lot of guys coming back next year I believe we can do it."

Gausman was the first pitcher taken in this year's draft, going ahead of fellow college righties Kyle Zimmer (Royals) and Mark Appel (Pirates). Earlier today, it was reported that Appel is also leaning toward returning to college for another season, rather than signing in Pittsburgh.

Electing to return to LSU would mean forgoing a sizeable bonus for Gausman. MLB's recommended bonus for the fourth overall pick in the draft is $4.2MM. If he does decide to return to LSU, the decision won't have as much to do with the Orioles as it would a desire to leave his mark on LSU baseball, writes Buford.

Draft Signings: Branden Kline

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There are only four days until this year's signing deadline, which has been moved up from previous years. Earlier today we heard that No. 8 pick Mark Appel is leaning toward returning to Stanford rather than signing with the Pirates, and we also saw the Cubs ink No. 6 overall pick Albert Almora for a $3.9MM bonus. Here are today's notable non-first-round signings:

  • The Orioles have signed second rounder Branden Kline for the full pick value of $793,700 according to Baseball America's Jim Callis (on Twitter). The former University of Virginia right-hander features a low 90s fastball and flashes a hard slider.

Latest On Pirates, Mark Appel

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Mark Appel, the eighth overall selection of the 2012 draft, is leaning against signing with the Pirates, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter). MLB recommends a $2.9MM bonus for Appel, who was considered a potential first overall selection. 

Jim Callis of Baseball America keeps hearing the Pirates won't give up a first round pick to sign Appel (Twitter link). Pittsburgh can offer the Stanford right-hander a maximum of $3.84MM without surrendering a 2013 pick, Callis notes. If Appel were to return to school for another season he would be draft eligible following his senior year. Agent Scott Boras is advising Appel.

Just six first round selections remain unsigned with four days to go before this Friday's deadline.

Draft Notes: Gausman, Phillies, Rash, Brewers

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Earlier today, we ran down the remaining unsigned first-round picks from the 2012 draft.  Here's today's latest draft news..

  • An Orioles source tells Steve Melewski of MASNsports.com (via Twitter) that the team remains "very confident" of signing top pick Kevin Gausman.  However, talks between the two sides still could go into next week.  The fourth-overall pick in the draft has said that he expects to reach agreement with the O's but there hasn't been a great deal of news on that front lately.
  • The Phillies were unable to reach agreement with second-round pick Alec Rash, writes Tommy Birch of the Des Moines Register.  The right-hander's father said the family requested $800K while the Phillies countered with an offer of $500K plus $120K for college.  Rash will now attend Missouri in the fall.
  • The Brewers‬ signed eighth-rounder Edgardo Rivera for $200K, more than the suggested pick value of $132K, tweets Jim Callis of Baseball America.   The high school outfielder out of Puerto Rico boasts plus-plus speed and could be solid left-handed bat, Callis writes.

Seven First Round Picks Still Unsigned

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Just seven first round selections remain unsigned as we close in on the July 13 deadline.  If the players below don't reach agreement with their respective clubs, they will be eligible for future drafts.  In the last week alone, we saw four first-round picks sign: Corey Seager (Dodgers), Mike Zunino (Mariners), Marcus Stroman (Blue Jays), and Walker Weickel (Padres).  Here's the updated list of players who have yet to agree to terms:

4. Kevin Gausman, Louisiana State RHP, Orioles

6. Albert Almora, HS OF, Cubs

8. Mark Appel, Stanford RHP, Pirates

9. Andrew Heaney, Oklahoma State LHP, Marlins

16. Lucas Giolito, HS RHP, Nationals

25. Richie Shaffer, Clemson IF, Rays

30. Ty Hensley, HS RHP, Yankees

Quick Hits: Howard, Prospects, McCarthy, Rodriguez

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The Phillies are likely to activate Ryan Howard in time for tomorrow’s game according to multiple reports. Howard has yet to play this season after injuring his Achilles on the final play of last year’s NLDS. As Philadelphia awaits the return of its slugging first baseman, here are some links from around the league…

  • Right-hander Dylan Bundy of the Orioles tops Baseball America’s updated list of the game’s 50 best prospects. Shortstop Jurickson Profar of the Rangers and outfielder Wil Myers of the Royals round out the top three.
  • “It’s something I’m not at all opposed to,” said Brandon McCarthy to Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle when asked about the possibility of signing a long-term deal with the Athletics. “But it’s got to be something that makes sense for both sides.”
  • The Dodgers have signed second round pick Paco Rodriguez for a straight slot $611K bonus, reports Jim Callis of Baseball America (on Twitter). He says the left-hander out of Florida eats hitters up with his cut-fastball.

Cubs Agree To Sign Duane Underwood

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The Cubs have agreed to sign second round pick Duane Underwood for $1.05MM, reports Jim Callis of Baseball America. Slot money for the 67th overall pick was $770K. He'll take his physical on Monday.

Underwood, a high school right-hander from Georgia, is said to run his fastball up to 98. Callis notes (on Twitter) that Chicago is $276K under their draft pool and can afford to pay sixth overall pick Albert Almora up to $3.9MM without forfeiting next year's first round pick.  

Padres Sign Walker Weickel

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The Padres‬ have signed supplemental first-rounder Walker Weickel for $2MM, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America (via Twitter).  The deal marks a significant raise from the suggested pick value of $926K for the Floridian.

The high school right-hander boasts a low-90s fastball with a solid three-pitch mix.  Tabbed with the No. 55 pick, Weickel stands at 6'6" and weighs in at 200 pounds.  Callis notes that he is the sixth player to recieve $1MM or more over his pick value, joining Lance McCullers Jr. (Astros), Matt Smoral (Blue Jays), Carson Kelly (Cardinals), Rio Ruiz (Astros), and Ty Buttrey (Red Sox).

Blue Jays Sign Marcus Stroman

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The Blue Jays and first round selection Marcus Stroman have signed a contract, the pitcher and the team announced today. Stroman obtained a bonus of $1.8MM, ESPN.com's Keith Law tweets.  The Blue Jays selected Stroman 22nd overall and the recommended bonus for that slot is exactly $1.8MM.

"Officially a member of THE Toronto Blue Jays! Signed my contract," Stroman tweeted. "Beyond excited and blessed. Ready to work!" 

Stroman, a right-hander drafted out of Duke, has an impressive repertoire depite his 5'9" frame. He sits 92-94 mph as a starter and can touch 96 out of the bullpen, according to Baseball America. He has a nasty slider and could be the first 2012 draftee to reach the Major Leagues if he pitches in relief, according to many scouts.

Mariners Sign Mike Zunino

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9:12pm: Ben Badler of Baseball America writes that despite signing Zunino for well under the slot recommendation, the Mariners are $36,600 over their bonus pool for the first 10 rounds of the draft. Badler also gives a brief recap of Zunino's season, noting that he was Baseball America's College Player of the Year.

8:45pm: ESPN's Jerry Crasnick reports that Zunino will receive a bonus of $4MM — well below the slot recommendation (Twitter link).

8:32pm: The Mariners have signed No. 3 overall pick Mike Zunino, the team announced (on Twitter). A press conference to introduce Zunino will be held tomorrow.

Details of the signing are not yet known, but the recommended bonus for the third overall slot is $5.2MM. Over the weekend, we had heard that the Mariners were expected to sign the former University of Florida catcher in the near future. Baseball America says Zunino's hitting ability "projects to be above-average for a Major League catcher" while noting that he offers strong intangibles that draw Jason Varitek comparisons.

With the signing of Zunino, there are now eight first round picks who have yet to sign.

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