Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

2012 Amateur Draft

Cardinals Agree To Sign Carson Kelly

By | at

The Cardinals have agreed to sign second-round pick Carson Kelly to a $1.6MM bonus, reports Jim Callis of Baseball America (Twitter link).  Kelly's bonus is almost triple the recommended $574.3K bonus for the 86th overall pick and, as Callis notes, is the highest any team has gone over a slot price to sign a pick from this year's draft crop.  Kelly will take his physical in St. Louis tomorrow, tweets B.J. Rains of FOX Sports Midwest.

Kelly, a high schooler who had committed to the University of Oregon, is regarded as both a third baseman and as a right-handed pitching prospect.  The Cardinals indicated they will develop Kelly as a third baseman, as noted by MLB.com's Mike Still in his profile of Kelly following the draft.

Pirates To Sign Barrett Barnes

By | at

The Pirates agreed to sign supplemental first round selection Barrett Barnes, Jim Callis of Baseball America reports (on Twitter). The Texas Tech outfielder will obtain a $1MM bonus. Scott Lacefield, the Texas Tech associate director of athletics communications, first reported the deal on Twitter.

MLB recommended a $1.136MM bonus for the 45th overall selection, which the Pirates obtained as compensation for losing free agent Ryan Doumit. For more detail on top draft bonuses, MLBTR has a list of which supplemental round picks have signed.

Athletics To Sign Addison Russell

By | at

THURSDAY: Russell will receive a $2.625MM bonus according to Baseball America's Jim Callis (on Twitter), the full slot value for the 11th overall pick.

MONDAY: First round selection Addison Russell told Jason Blakeney of the Pensacola News Journal that he has decided to sign with the Athletics. Russell, the 11th overall selection in last week's draft, will fly to California this week, and advisor Scott Boras will finalize his contract.

"It's a once in a lifetime opportunity," Russell said. "Being part of a big league club and being an affiliate of the Oakland A's is a dream come true."

Russell didn't reveal the specifics of his deal with the A's, saying only that they "offered [him] a good chunk of change.” MLB recommends a bonus of $2.625MM for the 11th overall selection, according to Baseball America.

Russell, a high school shortstop, became the first prep player selected by Oakland in the first round since 2001. While some teams wanted to move him to third base, the A's told him he can continue playing shortstop for the time being.

Mike Axisa contributed to this post.

NL Central Notes: Dempster, Cubs, Brewers, Appel

By | at

Items out of the NL Central as Wednesday turns into Thursday..

  • Amid heavy trade talk, Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster had a long chat with Theo Epstein in the stands of Wrigley Field before today's game, according to Carrie Muskat of MLB.com.  Dempster told Muskat that the two discussed an upcoming fundraiser.  Meanwhile, some execs believe that the hurler could be moved early, perhaps even before the All-Star break.
  • The Brewers expect to announce a number of draft signings by the end of the week, including a deal with second-round pick Tyrone Taylor, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.  Taylor is a center fielder out of Torrance High School in California.
  • Many of this year's top picks have already signed with their respective clubs and when all is said and done, Keith Law of ESPN.com (via Twitter) believes that Mark Appel is the only first round pick who may not sign.  The Pirates' eighth-overall pick was said to be in the mix to go No. 1 but asked for more than the Astros were willing to pay.

Draft Signings: Mariners, Mets, Royals, A’s, Pirates

By | at

Here are today's latest draft signings, with the most recent updates up top..

  • ‪The Mariners‬ signed sixth-round pick Timmy Lopes for $550K, well over the pick value of $198K, according to Callis (via Twitter).  The infielder out of California is said to have a good bat, not unlike his older brother Christian Lopes who was drafted by the Blue Jays last year.  The M's also announced that they signed 26 others from this year's draft and have now inked 25 of their first 30 picks.
  • The Mets‬ signed third-rounder Matt Koch for $425K, slightly below his pick value of $445K, tweets Jim Callis of Baseball America.  The right-hander has a 92-96 mph fastball and flashes good slider and changeup. 
  • The Royals‬ signed fourth-round pick, Stanford infielder Kenny Diekroeger, tweets Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.  Just one of Kansas City's top ten picks remain unsigned.
  • The A’s announced that they agreed to terms with center fielder Herschel Powell (20th round), right-hander Lee Sosa (26th), shortstop Christopher Wolfe (30th), and first baseman John Wooten (37th).
  • The Pirates announced that they signed eight draft picks, including infielder Eric Wood (sixth round).  Pittsburgh has now inked nine draft picks in total and continues to negotiate with eighth-overall pick Mark Appel.

White Sox To Sign Courtney Hawkins

By | at

The White Sox have agreed to sign first round draft pick Courtney Hawkins, MLB.com's Scott Merkin reports. The White Sox selected Hawkins 13th overall last week and the high school outfielder promptly did a back flip on live television.

Merkin suggests Hawkins will obtain a bonus of $2.475MM — precisely the amount MLB recommends for the 13th overall selection. Hawkins has impressive bat speed and power and will likely end up playing right field as a professional, according to Baseball America. His fastball reached the low 90s as a pitcher, though he's not expected to continue pitching once he signs.

Draft Signings: Rockies, Twins, Angels

By | at

MLBTR has updated lists of which first and supplemental first round picks have agreed to terms. Here are Wednesday's notable draft signings from the second round and beyond…

  • The Rockies agreed to sign third round selection Tom Murphy for $454K bonus, Jim Callis of Baseball America tweets. The catcher profiles as an above-average hitter, according to Callis.
  • The Twins signed fifth round selection Tyler Duffey for $267K, Callis reports (on Twitter). Duffey, a right-handed pitcher, mixes in a slider and throws a fastball that sits in the 92-94 mph range.
  • The Angels signed fourth round selection Alex Yarbrough for $303K, Callis tweets. The second baseman has some power, according to Baseball America.
  • The Tigers agreed to terms with 15 selections including fifth rounder Joe Rogers and 10th rounder Charlie Gillies.

Mariners Sign Joe DeCarlo

By | at

The Mariners have agreed to sign second round selection Joe DeCarlo for a $1.3MM bonus, Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA reports (on Twitter). The Mariners selected the high school infielder 64th overall.

DeCarlo becomes the first player outside the first and supplemental rounds to obtain a seven-figure bonus, Jim Callis of Baseball America reports. MLB’s recommended bonus for the selection was $806K. DeCarlo has solid power, but will likely move from shortstop to third base as a professional, according to Baseball America.

Draft Signings: Beck, Thompson, Copeland, Renda

By | at

In a Insider-only blog post, ESPN's Keith Law listed some interesting names for the 2013 draft. College players like Austin Wilson and Ryne Stanek headline the crop along with high schoolers Austin Meadows and Clinton Hollon. Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, here are the latest miscellaneous signings from this year's class…

  • The White Sox have signed second rounder Chris Beck for $600K, reports Jim Callis of Baseball America (on Twitter). Full slot value for the right-hander from Georgia Southern was $670K.
  • In addition to Beck, the White Sox have agreed to terms with 23 other draft picks according to a release. Fourth rounder Brandon Brennan highlights the list.
  • The Tigers have signed second rounder Jake Thompson for a straight slot $532K bonus, reports Callis (on Twitter). The high school right-hander from Texas was Detroit's top pick after forfeiting their first rounder to sign Prince Fielder.
  • The Nationals announced the signing of 23 draft picks in a press release, including second rounder Tony Renda and fourth rounder Brandon Miller.
  • The Rays have signed third rounder Bralin Jackson for $325K, reports Callis (on Twitter). The high school outfielder from Missouri was slotted for a $216K bonus.
  • The Marlins have signed supplemental third rounder Kolby Copeland for a straight slot $367K, reports Callis (on Twitter). The pick was compensation for failing to sign the previous year's third rounder. Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA first reported the news (on Twitter).
  • The Twins have signed fifth rounder Tyler Duffey, reports MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger (on Twitter). Slot money for the pick is $267K.
  • The Astros have signed five more draft picks according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart (on Twitter), including sixth rounder Brett Phillips.

Giants Sign Chris Stratton

By | at

9:13pm: Jim Callis of Baseball America reports that Stratton received the full $1.85MM slot bonus.

8:59pm: The Giants have signed first round pick Chris Stratton according to the MLB Draft Twitter feed. The team confirmed the signing in a press release. He was the 20th overall selection, which carries a slot value of $1.85MM according to Baseball America.

Stratton, 22, fell just short of qualifying as a draft-eligible sophomore for last summer's draft. Baseball America says the right-hander from Mississippi State can run his fastball up to 95 while mixing in both a slider and curveball.

Show all

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

hide arrows scroll to top