Draft Notes: Judge, Yankees, Bryant, Dodgers
Here’s a look at today’s draft news..
- Yankees first-round pick Aaron Judge says that he’s “real confident” that he’ll be signing soon with the Bombers, tweets Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. The Fresno State outfielder is known for jaw-dropping batting practice displays according to Baseball America and got to show off a bit as he took BP with the club today. Judge was one of three late first-round picks for the Yankees along with Eric Jagielo and Ian Clarkin.
- Jim Callis of Baseball America only sees two draftees this year becoming the top prospect in their respective organizations. Third baseman/outfielder Kris Bryant had the best power in this year’s draft and even though it’s an extremely close call, Callis ranks him ahead of shortstop Javier Baez and outfielders Albert Almora and Jorge Soler in the Cubs system. He also puts righthander Jonathan Gray over outfielder David Dahl in the Rockies system.
- The Dodgers‘ prospects are making an impact in the big leagues and there are even more on the way, writes MLB.com’s Austin Laymance.
Royals Sign Second Rounder Cody Reed
7:27pm: Reed's deal is worth $1.198MM, which matches the exact slot value for the No. 46 pick, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America (via Twitter).
6:41pm: The Royals announced that they have signed their second round pick Cody Reed. Kansas City has now inked 18 of its 41 selections from the draft.
Reed, a 6-foot-5, 220-pound southpaw, set a new single-season school record with 96 strikeouts at Northwest Mississippi Community College in 73.1 innings. At one point during the season, Reed struck out 57 batters in five starts, including a career-high 15 in one outing.
The left-hander, who is being advised by B.B. Abbott of Jet Sports Management, is ranked 104th on Baseball America's top 500 and No. 31 on the top 100 list of ESPN's Keith Law. BA writes that Reed is a project whose stuff is rather raw but his arm strength is undeniable.
Mariners Designate Brandon Bantz For Assignment
The Mariners announced that they have designated catcher Brandon Bantz for assignment. The M's now have ten days to trade, release or outright Bantz’s contract to the minors.
Bantz, 26, was called up to the varsity squad on June 5th and started against the Yankees on June 8th. In parts of three seasons at the Double-A level, Bantz owns a 217/.305/.292 slash line.
Cardinals Sign Marco Gonzales
The Cardinals have signed first round pick Marco Gonzales, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America (via Twitter). 
The left-hander's bonus is worth $1.85MM, less than the recommended $2.056MM for the No. 19 pick on BA's list of assigned pick values.
The Gonzaga product is the most polished arm in the draft and boasts the best changeup of any pitcher in this year's class, in Callis' estimation. Gonzales, who is advised by Randy Rowley of Rowley Sports Management, is a polished hurler but doesn't have a terribly high ceiling, according to BA. There's no question that his changeup is his best attribute, and it grades as a 70 pitch on the 20-80 scale.
Gonzales ranked No. 28 on BA's top 500, 23rd on Keith Law of ESPN's top 100, and No. 14 on Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com's top 100. Remarkably, Gonzales is also the first left-handed pitcher to be selected by the Cardinals in the first round since Wake Forest southpaw Bret Wagner all the way back in 1994. St. Louis doubled up on lefties with their pair of first-round picks, selecting high school hurler Rob Kaminsky at No. 28 overall. Gonzales is the fourth first-round pick to sign so far.
Photo courtesy of Gonzaga Athletics/Torrey Vail.
Blue Jays Release Henry Blanco
The Blue Jays announced that they have released catcher Henry Blanco. The 41-year-old was designated for assignment last week to make room for Andy LaRoche, who was DFA'd earlier today for Chien-Ming Wang's arrival.
Blanco appeared in 15 games for the Blue Jays this year and started as catcher in 13 of those contests. For his career, Blanco owns a .226/.291/.366 slash line across 16 years for the Dodgers, Rockies, Brewers, Braves, Twins, Cubs, Padres, Mets, D'Backs, and Blue Jays.
Rangers Sign Gonzalez, Demeritte, Bostick
7:43pm: Gonzalez gets a signing bonus of $2.215MM, Demeritte will earn $1.9MM, and Bostick's deal is worth $520K, Anthony Andro of FOXSportsSouthwest.com tweets.
6:18pm: The Rangers announced that they have signed both of their first-round picks, Alex “Chi-Chi” Gonzalez and Travis Demeritte. Gonzalez was the No. 23 overall pick in the 2013 draft while Demeritte was tapped with the No. 30 selection.
Gonzalez, a right-handed pitcher, has been assigned to Spokane of the Northwest League while Demeritte, a shortstop, will go to the Arizona League. Gonzalez, 21, had a 1.83 ERA with 126 strikeouts and 27 walks across 113 and 1/3 innings of work at Oral Roberts in his junior year. His gaudy strikeout total was good for second in the nation in the college regular season. Gonzalez was previously selected by the O's in the 11th round of the 2010 draft but did not sign.
Demeritte, 18, was plucked out of Winder-Barrow High School in Winder, Georgia where he was named the 11th-best high school position player in the draft by Baseball America. Demeritte had committed to the University of South Carolina, but he liked his deal enough to turn pro.
Texas also inked their second-round pick, high school right-hander Akeem Bostick, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America (via Twitter). Bostick, who comes from West Florence High School in South Carolina, was ranked No. 147 in the nation by Baseball America. The youngster was a three sport star and was set to attend Georgia Southern both as pitcher and a wide receiver on the gridiron.
NL West Notes: Gonzalez, Dodgers, Padres
Here's a look at the latest out of the National League West..
- Cuban right-hander Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, who has drawn the attention of the Dodgers, has been declared a free agent and will have a showcase in Tijuana, Mexico on June 20th, a source tells Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com (via Twitter). The Cubs, Rangers, Twins and Red Sox have also been linked to the promising hurler.
- Yasiel Puig is the talk of the baseball world and his Arizona League manager had some very high praise for him, writes Scott Miller of CBSSports.com. "I said, 'He's [reigning NFL MVP] Adrian Peterson.' That's how much God-given ability this guy has," Martin said. "That's the comparison I had to give. He's Adrian Peterson."
- On the heels of the 2013 draft, MLB.com's Corey Brock took a peek into the Padres' war room. With the No. 13 overall pick in the draft, San Diego tapped Mississippi State outfielder Hunter Renfroe.
Indians Acquire John McDonald
The Indians announced that they have acquired John McDonald from the Pirates in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later. McDonald will help bolster the club in the middle of the infield in the wake of Asdrubal Cabrera‘s right quadriceps injury.
The 38-year-old has appeared in just 16 games for the Pirates so far this season. Over the course of his 15 year major league career, McDonald owns a .237/.275/.328 slash line. Last year, the veteran hit .249/.295/.386 in 70 games for the D’Backs with above-average defense at shortstop.
Padres Designate John Baker For Assignment
The Padres announced that they have designated catcher John Baker for assignment. In related moves, San Diego also reinstated infielder Logan Forsythe from the 60-day disabled list and placed infielder Jedd Gyorko on the 15-day disabled list with a right groin strain.
Baker, 32, played in 16 games for the Padres this season, hitting .150/.261/.150 in 46 plate appearances. Over parts of six Major League seasons with the Marlins (2008-11) and Padres (2012-13), Baker has hit .258/.342/.364.
Diamondbacks Sign David Pauley
The Diamondbacks have signed right-hander David Pauley to a minor league deal, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes has learned. The Octagon client will report to Triple-A Reno tomorrow.
Pauley has a career 4.68 ERA with 5.2 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 across 71 big league relief appearances and 20 starts. However, he's spent the bulk of his career at the Triple-A level, where he has posted a 4.00 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 in parts of six seasons.