Draft Notes: Blue Jays, Cardinals, Brewers, Padres
The deadline for teams to sign their 2012 draft picks is 4 pm (CT) on July 13. Here's the latest news and signings involving the non-first and supplemental first round selections.
- The Blue Jays have signed second round draft choice Chase DeJong for an over slot bonus of $860K, tweets Jim Callis of Baseball America. The recommended value for the pick is $620,300. Callis says the California right-hander has a plus fastball and curve.
- Callis, in a separate tweet, says the Blue Jays can offer their first rounder Marcus Stroman just over $2.13MM without forfeiting a 2013 draft pick.
- Callis tweets the Cardinals signed their fourth round pick Alex Meija for $250K (recommended slot value of $294,200). Meija played short for the College World Series champion Arizona.
- Brewers fifth round draft choice Damien Magnifico tweeted a cryptic message about his future. "It's great to be around family, friends, and the girlfriend. And now have things figured out for the future," wrote Magnifico. The Brewers aren't saying much either about the future of the right-handed pitcher from the University of Oklahoma, reports Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. "Both parties are still doing their work," was the response Brewers amateur scouting director Bruce Seid gave when asked about the tweet. Magnifico is the highest unsigned pick of the Brewers.
- There have been conflicting reports this week as to whether the Padres have signed their 25th round selection Corey Kimber. Callis confirms the North Carolina prep right-hander signed for $120K, $20K of which counts against the bonus pool (all links go to Twitter).
Mariners Expected To Sign Mike Zunino Shortly
July 1: ESPN's Keith Law tweeted Zunino is on his way to Seattle to sign with the Mariners. Jerry Crasnick confirms his colleague's report tweeting Zunino is heading to Seattle to take his physical.
June 26: The Mariners are expected to sign third overall pick Mike Zunino shortly, reports Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times. The announcement could come in early-July after the catcher from Florida attends two awards ceremonies.
Slot money for the third overall selection is $5.2MM. 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. Zunino is the highest unsigned pick and is one of ten unsigned first rounders.
Dodgers To Sign Corey Seager
The Dodgers have reached an agreement with first round pick Corey Seager on a $2.35MM bonus, reports Dylan Hernandez of The Los Angeles Times. Slot money for the 18th overall pick was $1.95MM.
Seager, a high schooler infielder from North Carolina, is the younger brother of Mariners' third baseman Kyle Seager. Baseball America says he offers left-handed power and "it [is] easy to see his upside," though it's unclear if he will remain at shortstop long-term.
Nine first round picks and one supplemental first round pick remain unsigned. The deadline to sign this year's picks is July 13th.
Quick Hits: Thome, Blue Jays, Oliver, Orioles
Links as Friday turns into Saturday..
- As the Phillies look for a place to move Jim Thome, the Rays and Yankees are not interested, sources tell Buster Olney of ESPN.com (via Twitter). Olney speculates (Twitter link) that the Orioles and Rangers could be solid fits for the veteran.
- Darren Oliver may be a name to watch for the Angels if the Blue Jays decide to be sellers at the deadline, tweets Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com.
- The Orioles have agreed in principle with three of their top seven picks, tweets Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. Second-round selection Branden Kline, Christian Walker (fourth), and Matthew Price (seven) all signed for their slot recommendation.
Eleven First Round Picks Still Unsigned
Just ten first round selections and one supplementary first round pick remain unsigned with two-plus weeks remaining before this summer's deadline. The 11 players below will be eligible for future drafts if they don't sign by July 13, but we can expect most of these players to reach agreements in the coming 15 days. Here's the complete list of players who haven't yet agreed to terms:
3. Mike Zunino, Florida C, Mariners
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
18. Corey Seager, HS SS, Dodgers
22. Marcus Stroman, Duke RHP, Blue Jays
25. Richie Shaffer, Clemson IF, Rays
30. Ty Hensley, HS RHP, Yankees
55. Walker Weickel, HS RHP, Padres
Draft Signings: Marzilli, Randall, Johnson, Encinosa
Let's keep track of the day's non-first and supplemental first round signings here…
- The Diamondbacks have agreed to terms with eighth rounder Evan Marzilli, tweets Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. The South Carolina outfielder's season came to a conclusion on Monday after losing to Arizona in the College World Series finals.
- The Tigers have signed seventh rounder Hudson Randall, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America (on Twitter). The right-hander will obtain a $142K bonus, which is the full slot value for the selection.
- The Giants have inked sixth rounder Stephen Johnson, tweets Callis. The collegiate right-hander will receive an above slot $180K bonus.
- Seventh rounder E.J. Encinosa has also signed with the Giants and will receive a $144K bonus, reports Callis (on Twitter). The Miami right-hander is noted for his size and hard sinker.
- Yankees second rounder Peter O'Brien, a Miami catcher who signed with the team last week, will obtain a below slot $460K bonus, tweets Callis.
- The Twins have signed eighth rounder Christian Powell, according to Callis (on Twitter). The College of Charleston right-hander, who features a mid-90s sinker, will receive a $140K bonus.
AL East Notes: Guthrie, Yankees, Stewart, Red Sox
Items out of the American League East..
- Jeremy Guthrie may be a potential fit for the injury-depleted Yankees after enjoying previous success in the AL East while with the Orioles, writes Troy Renck of The Denver Post.
- Yankees GM Brian Cashman says that he would prefer not to go outside of the organization to solve the team's rotation issues, tweets Jack Curry of the YES Network.
- Buster Olney of ESPN.com (via Twitter) also hears from sources that the Yankees will look to handle loss of Andy Pettitte and C.C. Sabathia from within using Freddy Garcia, Adam Warren, and David Phelps.
- Zach Stewart is used to moving around a lot after being a part of three major league trades in the last three years, writes Paul Kenyon of The Providence Journal. Stewart came to the Red Sox along with Brent Lillibridge in the Kevin Youkilis deal.
- The Red Sox signed third-round pick Austin Maddox for $350K, less than the pick value of $400K, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America. The right-hander out of Florida has a 92-96 mph fastball with a promising slider.
Reds Sign Jeff Gelalich
The Reds have signed supplemental first-round pick Jeff Gelalich for $825K, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America. The bonus amounts to slightly less than the $898K assigned value for the No. 57 slot.
The UCLA product was key to the Bruins' College World Series run this spring and Callis writes that he has average or better tools across the board as a right fielder. With Gelalich in the fold, the Reds have wrapped up all of their picks in the first ten rounds and are roughly $92K under their total bonus pool.
Padres Sign Travis Jankowski
3:15pm: Jankowski's deal is for $975K, less than the $1.16MM recommendation, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America (via Twitter).
3:00pm: The Padres have signed compensation pick Travis Jankowski, according to Clark Goble of MLB.com. The Stony Brook University standout wasn't able to sign until now due to his team's surprising run to the College World Series.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the recommended bonus for the 44th overall pick is $1.16MM. The centerfielder is said to have a quick bat and better-than-average speed.
Draft Signings: Fontana, Benincasa, Amaral, Foody
Let's keep track of the day's non-first and supplemental first round signings here…
- The Astros have signed second rounder Nolan Fontana, the team announced. Jim Callis of Baseball America reports (on Twitter) that he signed for $875K, slightly above the $844K slot for the 61st overall pick.
- The Nationals have signed seventh rounder Robert Benincasa, the team announced (on Twitter). The right-hander from Florida State was slotted for approximately $145K.
- The Reds have signed seventh rounder Beau Amaral according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). Slot money for the pick is $146K.
- The Cardinals have agreed to terms with 12th rounder Max Foody on an above slot $385K bonus according to Derrick Goold of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The high school left-hander hails from Florida.
- The Orioles have signed 26th rounder Lucas Herbst, reports Eduardo A. Encina of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). Baltimore has signed 23 draft picks all together.