Chance Ruffin
Rumors

After being selected in the first round or supplemental round of the 2010 Draft on June 8th, 2010, teams and players had until August 16th, 2010 at 11:59pm to agree to a signing bonus and begin their professional career or head to college.  The only exception to this rule are college seniors with whom there is no set time table for when they have to sign.

1) Washington: Bryce Harper - $9.9M signing bonus
2) Pittsburgh: Jameson Taillon - $6.5M signing bonus
3) Baltimore: Manny Machado - $5.25M signing bonus
4) Kansas City: Christian Colon - $2,75M signing bonus
5) Cleveland: Drew Pomeranz - $2.65M signing bonus
6) Arizona: Barret Loux - Did not sign, failed physical
7) New York Mets: Matt Harvey - $2.5M signing bonus
8) Houston: Delino DeSheilds Jr. - $2.15M signing bonus
9) San Diego: Karsten Whitson - No contract signed, will attend Florida
10) Oakland: Michael Choice - $2M signing bonus
11) Toronto: Deck McGuire - $2M signing bonus
12) Cincinnati: Yasmani Grandal - $3.2M signing bonus
13) Chicago White Sox: Chris Sale - $1,656M signing bonus
14) Milwaukee: Dylan Covey - Did not sign, will attend San Diego
15) Texas: Jake Skole - $1.557M signing bonus
16) Chicago Cubs: Hayden Simpson - $1.06M signing bonus
17) Tampa Bay: Josh Sale - $1.62M signing bonus
18) Los Angeles Angels: Kaleb Cowart - $2.3M signing bonus
19) Houston: Mike Foltynewicz - $1.3M signing bonus
20) Boston: Kolbrin Vitek - $1.359M signing bonus
21) Minnesota: Alex Wimmers - $1.332M signing bonus
22) Texas: Kellin Deglan - $1M signing bonus
23) Florida: Christian Yelich - $1.7M signing bonus
24) San Francisco: Gary Brown - $1.45M signing bonus
25) St. Louis: Zack Cox - $3.2M signing bonus
26) Colorado: Kyle Parker - $1.4M signing bonus
27) Philadelphia: Jesse Biddle - $1.16M signing bonus
28) Los Angeles Dodgers: Zach Lee - $5.25M signing bonus
29) Los Angeles Angels: Cam Bedrosian - $1.116M signing bonus
30) Los Angeles Angels: Chevez Clarke - $1.089M signing bonus
31) Tampa Bay: Justin O'Conner - $1.025M signing bonus
32) New York Yankees: Cito Culver - $954K signing bonus

Supplemental Round

33) Houston: Michael Kvasnicka - $936K signing bonus
34) Toronto: Aaron Sanchez - $775K signing bonus
35) Atlanta: Matt Lipka - $800K signing bonus
36) Boston: Bryce Brentz - $892K signing bonus
37) Los Angeles Angels: Taylor Lindsey - $873K signing bonus
38) Toronto: Noah Syndergaard - $600K signing bonus
39) Boston: Anthony Ranaudo - $2.55M signing bonus
40) Los Angeles Angels: Ryan Bolden - $829K signing bonus
41) Toronto: Asher Wojciechowski - $814K signing bonus
42) Tampa Bay: Drew Vettleson - $845K signing bonus
43) Seattle: Taijuan Walker - $800K signing bonus
44) Detroit: Nick Castellanos - $3.45M signing bonus
45) Texas: Luke Jackson - $1.557M signing bonus
46) St. Louis: Seth Blair - $751K signing bonus
47) Colorado: Peter Tago - 982,500 signing bonus
48) Detroit: Chance Ruffin - $1.15M signing bonus
49) Texas: Mike Olt - $717K signing bonus
50) St. Louis: Tyrell Jenkins - $1.3M signing bonus

For the first 32 picks of the first round of the 2010 MLB draft, click here.

33) Houston Astros: Michael Kvasnicka, Minnesota, C
34) Toronto Blue Jays: Aaron Sanchez, Barstow HS, RHP
35) Atlanta Braves: Matt Lipka, McKinney HS, SS
36) Boston Red Sox: Bryce Brentz, Middle Tennessee State

37) Los Angeles Angels: Taylor Lindsey, Desert Mountain HS, SS
38) Toronto Blue Jays: Noah Syndergaard, Legacy HS, RHP
39) Boston Red Sox: Anthony Ranaudo, LSU, RHP
40) Los Angeles Angels: Ryan Bolden, Madison Central HS, OF
41) Toronto Blue Jays: Asher Wojciechowski, The Citadel, RHP
42) Tampa Bay Rays: Drew Vettleson, Central Kitsap HS, OF
43) Seattle Mariners: Taijuan Walker, Yucaipa HS, RHP

Continue Reading...

For every Drew Storen (and the jury is still out on him) and Chad Cordero who are drafted and rushed to the majors quickly to be a reliever and have success, there are plenty of Ryan Wagner's and Bill Bray's who flame out.  Yet, some teams are still looking for that quick fix, trying to find the next Storen or (Reds starter) Mike Leake. 

Keith Law of espn.com put together his list of the Top 20 2010 draft prospects who could reach the major leagues quickly.  These rankings do not consider a player's signability or professional ceiling.

1) Alex Wimmers, OSU, RHP - a poor man's Leake
2) Chris Sale, Florida Gulf Coast, LHP - could be there quickly as a reliever, but likely will be a starter
3) Michael Choice, UT-Arlington, OF - His power is without question, so if he can keep a steady batting average he'll be up next year
4) Deck McGuire, Georgia Tech, RHP - Throws strikes, an essential quality for quick promotion
5) Barret Loux, Texas A&M, RHP - Very polished and had a spectacular season
6) Kevin Munson, James Madison, RHP - Improvement in control could have Munson on a big league roster this fall
7) Dan Klein, UCLA, RHP - See Sale, Chris

8) Yasmani Grandal, Miami, C - A switch hitting catcher with power and defense could rip through minors
9) Christian Colon, Cal State Fullerton, SS - Major league quality defense at short right now
10) Zack Cox, Arkansas, 3B - Most polished college bat, but defense needs work
11) Chad Bettis, Texas Tech, RHP - Similar to Sale and Klein, but a reliever by trade
12) Brandon Workman, Texas, RHP - Major-league-ready control
13) Drew Pomeranz, Ole Miss, LHP - Might need delivery adjustments, but otherwise ready
14) Anthony Ranaudo, LSU, RHP - Needs show he's healthy
15) Rob Rasmussen, UCLA, LHP - If he can cut down on the walks, he can pitch in the bigs

Continue Reading...

Jason Churchill of espn.com has an update from the summer leagues with plenty of players who will be available in the 2010 MLB Draft.

New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL)

• Adam Matthews of South Carolina impressed an area scout.
• Vanderbilt's best hitter, Aaron Westlake, will be playing for the Newport Gulls.
• Kansas RHP TJ Walz had 88Ks in 82.1IP this season and will be playing in the NECBL.
• Mitchell Beacom from UCLA will be playing for the Holyoke Blue Sox. "He's one of those, you know, projectable types," one AL club's West Coast area scout said. "Lots there to look for, and he's a lefty."
• If I were playing in the NECBL, I'd be really bummed if I got stuck in Holyoke, MA vs. Newport, RI.

Texas Collegiate Baseball League (TCBL)

• RHPs Willie Kempf from Baylor and Jeff Emens are prospects on scouts radars who will be playing in the TCBL this summer.

Cape Cod League

• SS Christian Colon from Cal State-Fullerton, 1B Andy Wilkins from Arkansas and RHP Anthony Ranaudo will be suiting up for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox and likely trailed by scouts all summer.
• Arkansas' Zack Cox, Texas RHP Chance Ruffin and Clemson LHP Chris Dwyer (taken by the Royals in the 4th round) will be playing for the Cotuit Kettleers.
• SS Derek Dietrich from Georgia Tech and OF Alex Dickerson from Indiana will be playing for the Wareham Gateman.
• Georgia Tech RHP Deck McGuire and Fresno State 2B Danny Muno will be on the Orleans Firebirds along wtih Max Stassi's older brother, LHP Brock Stassi from Nevada.
• Middle Tennessee State's Bryce Brentz and LSU OF Leon Landry will team up for the Harwich Mariners.
• The Bourne Braves might have the best team with Ole Miss LHP Drew Pomeranz, FSU OF Tyler Holt and Tennessee C Blake Forsythe.
• If Kentrail Davis does not sign with the Brewers soon, he'll be playing for the Falmouth Commodores.
• RHP Matt Harvey from UNC will be playing for the Chatham Anglers.