Red Sox To Sign Third-Rounder Jonathan Denney

The Red Sox have agreed to terms with third-round draft pick Jonathan Denney, Baseball America's Jim Callis reports (Twitter links).  Denney signed for a $875K bonus, well above the $671.2K assigned slot value (courtesy of Baseball America) of the 81st overall pick.  Denney is advised by the BBI Sports Group.

Denney was something of a steal for Boston in the third round given that the high school catcher was a consensus late-first round pick (20th overall by MLB.com, 22nd by ESPN's Keith Law and 25th by Baseball America) by most major draft analysts.  Law mentioned that Denney "struggled receiving this spring and is no longer seen as a lock to catch," which may have accounted for his fall in the draft.  Still, Law feels that Denney can still grow into the position and he has a good arm, plus Baseball America thinks Denney has a strong enough right-handed bat to stick at first base if necessary.