7/17/2009

Strasburg Signs!

Super-Prospect, Other Top Picks Sign Deadline Deals

Stephen Strasburg has finally signed a deal with the Washington Nationals for almost $16M, a new record for amateur draftees. The deal includes a $7.5M signing bonus and $7.6M over four years, as well as incentives. The deal was announced shortly after midnight.   

All Smiles: It took until the last second, but Stephen Strasburg will wear the red, white and blue of the Washington Nationals in 2010 after all.

Strasburg wasn't the only last-minute holdout, though almost all of the other first rounders did agree to terms with their new teams.

While it's possible that late announcements could yet arrive, it looks like three of the first round picks have failed to sign with the teams that drafted them.

Aaron Crow (RHP, KC), the 12th overall selection this year, has not signed with Kansas City. Crow was drafted first overall in 2008, also, when he failed to find agreeable terms with the Nationals. He's ineligible to re-enter the Draft, so it's expected he will still sign with his hometown Kansas City club, even if it takes weeks or months. As he's no longer Draft or college eligible, he is not bound by the deadline, but if the Royals still haven't signed him before next year's draft, they will receive a compensation pick.

Lefthander Matt Purke, selected 14th overall by the Rangers, was always seen as a difficult high-schooler to sign. He'd already pre-committed to Texas Christian University, and it looks like that's where he'll pitch in 2010. He could re-enter the Draft in 2011 as a junior.

Infielder LeVon Washington, a base-burning high schooler represented by Scott Boras, was taken by Tampa with the 30th overall pick, but the team has been unable to reach terms with him. He seems likely to attend University of Florida, which means he'll be a Gator for at least three seasons before becoming eligible for the Draft again.

The complete list of players who did sign before the deadline follows.

1. Stephen Strasburg (RHP, WAS)
2. Dustin Ackley (OF, SEA)
3. Donavan Tate (OF, SD)
4. Tony Sanchez (C, PIT)
5. Matt Hobgood (RHP, BAL)
6. Zack Wheeler (RHP, SF)
7. Mike Minor (LHP, ATL)
8. Mike Leake (RHP, CIN)
9. Jacob Turner (RHP, DET)
10. Drew Storen (RHP, WAS)
11. Tyler Matzek (LHP, COL)
13. Grant Green (SS, OAK)
15. Alex White (RHP, CLE)
16. Bobby Borchering (3B, ARI)
17. A. J. Pollock (OF, ARI)
18. Chad James (LHP, FLA)
19. Shelby Miller (RHP, STL)
20. Chad Jenkins (RHP, TOR)
21. Jiovanni Mier (SS, HOU)
22. Kyle Gibson (RHP, MIN)
23. Jared Mitchell (OF, CWS)
24. Randal Grichuk (OF, LAA)
25. Mike Trout (OF, LAA)
26. Eric Arnett (RHP, MIL)
27. Nick Franklin (SS, SEA)
28. Reymond Fuentes (OF, BOS)
29. Slade Heathcott (OF, NYY)
31. Brett Jackson (OF, CHC)
32. Tim Wheeler (OF, COL)

[Edit 8/18/2009 for contract details.]

   


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