Baseball Rumor Mill

Over Slot Signings: Nick Kingham, Kendrick Perkins, Others

Players and teams agreeing to signing bonuses over the MLB slot recommendation is not something unusual for the first round, especially the top picks.  As of yet unsigned, guys like Bryce Harper, Jameson Taillon and Manny Machado seem certain to sign for more than the MLB slot recommendations for the first through third overall picks.

The constant among the top picks, however, is that they are all likely to sign in some fashion.  On the rare instances when they do not, teams are compensated for their failure to sign a first round pick with a similar first round pick the next year. 

Manny Machado Finishes His Swing

How much will it take for the Orioles to sign Manny Machado?

Where above slot signings become more interesting is with later round picks.  Often players with signability questions - particularly high school players who can go to college and re-enter the draft at a later date - slide in the draft because if teams select the players after the first round and do not sign them, they are left with nothing.  On the flip side, if a team can sign a player with a later round pick, they have a draft steal, so to speak.

Over the past week, a number of later round picks have signed for well over their slot bonus.  Jim Callis of Baseball America reported the signings with more information on each player in his posts.

  • The Red Sox have signed high schooler (and Boston Celtic center) Kendrick Perkins to a $628K signing bonus.  Perkins was a sixth-round selection.

Continue Reading...

Alex Wimmers Inks With Twins

Rated the fastest prospect from the 2010 draft class to make the big leagues by espn.com's Keith Law before the draft, Alex Wimmers has agreed to a $1.332M signing bonus with the Minnesota Twins, Baseball America's Jim Callis reports.  The signing bonus is in line with the MLB slot recommendation for the 21st pick of the draft. 

Alex Wimmers Fires

Wimmers, who played for Ohio State last year, was one of the most concrete draft rumors of the spring, frequently being linked with the Twins and ultimately landing with the team.  Keith Law compared Wimmers with Cincinnati's Mike Leake who after being selected with the 8th pick in 2009 started his professional career in the major leagues with the Reds.

Mike Minor Joins Braves

The Reds Mike Leake got the 2009 draft class off to a roaring start by beginning his first professional season in the major leagues.  Reliever Drew Storen of the Nationals didn't spend much time in the minor leagues before Joining Leake as a major leaguer with Washington.  And, of course, everyone knows Stephen Strasburg's story.

Next up: Atlanta's Mike Minor.

Mike Minor Photo

Braves starter Kris Medlen has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow opening the door for Minor to join the club and make his first major league start Monday against Houston.  The Astros are a good team for anyone to start their career against - only Pittsburgh has scored fewer runs this year.

From Vanderbilt, Minor was the seventh overall pick of the 2009 draft by the Braves, the second collegiate pitcher taken after the Nationals selected Strasburg with the first overall picks.  Minor's promotion mean that all of the first four collegiate pitchers taken in the first round of the 2009 draft have made the major leagues within their first professional season. 

After Minor, Leake was taken by Cincinnati with the 8th pick and Storen by the Nationals with the 10th pick.  The Indians Alex White was the next college pitcher selected with pick #15, although the Royals Aaron Crow was playing semi-pro ball when they selected him with the twelfth pick.

Draft Signings: Cito Culver, Hayden Simpson

A few draftee signings to pass along.  Visit our Draft Pick Signing Page for a complete list of first round draft picks signing bonuses and status.

  • The #19 pick of the draft, Southern Arkansas pitcher Hayden Simpson, agreed to a $1.06M signing bonus with the Chicago Cubs, writes Jim Callis of Baseball America.  The bonus is significantly lower than the slot recommendation, $1.512M.
  • Michael Huang of The Sporting News writes that the Reds have agreed to a signing bonus with Michigan outfielder Ryan LaMarre, a second round pick.  No terms have been announced.

Ryan LaMarre Hitting

  • Similarly, Huang notes that San Diego State outfielder Cory Vaughn, son of former major leaguer Greg Vaughn, has reached an agreement with the Mets.  Vaughn was a fourth-round pick.
  • In another post, Callis writes that the Yankees have agreed to terms with their first round pick, high school shortstop Cito Culver.  Culver signed for $954K, very close to the MLB recommendation. 

2010 First Round Draft Pick Signing Bonuses

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

2010 MLB Draft: First Round

A review of the first round of the 2010 draft.

1) Washington Nationals: Bryce Harper, College of Southern Nevada, C
2) Pittsburgh Pirates: Jameson Taillon, The Woodlands, RHP
3) Baltimore Orioles: Manny Machado, Brito HS, SS
4) Kansas City Royals: Christian Colon, Cal State Fullerton, SS

Christian Colon Throws To First

5) Cleveland Indians: Drew Pomeranz, Ole Miss, LHP
6) Arizona Diamondbacks: Barret Loux, Texas Tech, RHP
7) New York Mets: Matt Harvey, UNC, RHP
8) Houston Astros: Delino DeSheilds Jr., Woodward Park Academy, 2B
9) San Diego Padres: Karsten Whitson, Chipley HS, RHP
10) Oakland As: Michael Choice, UT-Arlington, OF
11) Toronto Blue Jays: Deck McGuire, Georgia Tech, RHP
12) Cincinnati Reds: Yasmani Grandal, Miami, C
13) Chicago White Sox: Chris Sale, Florida Gulf Coast, LHP
14) Milwaukee Brewers: Dylan Covey, Marantha HS, RHP
15) Texas Rangers: Jake Skole, Blessed Trinity HS, OF

Continue Reading...

2010 MLB Mock Draft: First Round

We've presented mock drafts from a number of different writers and publishers and multiple versions of their mock drafts.  With just a few hours left before the draft, it is time for Baseball Rumor Mill's shot at a mock draft of tonight's first round.

1) Washington Nationals: Bryce Harper, College of Southern Nevada, C
Little left to say here as this pick is set in stone.

2) Pittsburgh Pirates: Jameson Taillon, The Woodlands, RHP
Multiple reports have the Pirates taking Taillon

3) Baltimore Orioles: Manny Machado, Brito HS, SS
This pick is down to Taillon or Machado, whomever Pittsburgh doesn't take

Manny Machado Finishes His Swing

4) Kansas City Royals: Chris Sale, Florida Gulf Coast, LHP
Rumors about a pre-draft deal with Yasmani Grandal are falling apart.  The Royals have been rumored to want to keep costs down anyway, so Sale makes sense.

5) Cleveland Indians: Yasmani Grandal, Miami, C
If the rumors about the Indians upping the Royals offer are true, Grandal will go here.

6) Arizona Diamondbacks: Drew Pomeranz, Ole Miss, LHP
All reports have Pomeranz going here

7) New York Mets: Zack Cox, Arkansas, 3B
His rumored salary demands could send him tumbling, but the Mets have money and the big names have all gone in front of them.

Continue Reading...

Updated Mock Drafts: AOL Fanhouse, Jonathan Mayo

A few more last minute mock drafts to pass along in the hours ticking down before tonight's draft.  Frankie Piliere from AOL Fanhouse and Jonathan Mayo from mlb.com.

So what's interesting about their versions?

  • Bryce Harper, Jameson Taillon, Manny Machado, Yasmani Grandal, Chris Sale and Drew Pomeranz go in order, #1 through #6 on both.  #1 through #3 seems fairly set in stone at this point, but Grandal to the Royals is anything but determined.  They've been rumored on Sale as well, so if they pass on Grandal, that'll affect the next 5-10 picks significantly.
  • Mayo has the Reds taking Brett Eibner at #12.  Very high for the Arkansas product who has been left out of the first round of many mock drafts.
  • Similarly, Piliere has the Reds taking OSU pitcher Alex Wimmers higher than expected at #12 too.  Wimmers has frequently been rumored to be headed to Minnesota at #21.  Mayo has Wimmers going #15 to Texas.

Alex Wimmers Rears Back

  • Another new high placement is high school pitcher Jesse Biddle going to the Brewers at #14 according to Piliere.
  • Piliere has the Red Sox taking LSU pitcher Anthony Ranaudo at #20, one of the most common rumors.  Mayo, does not, however, and goes with the second most common Red Sox rumor, Ball State 2B/OF Kolbrin Vitek.  Mayo does not have Ranaudo in the first round at all.
  • Mayo has Arkansas third baseman Zack Cox going #7 to the Mets.  Pilere, however, supports our speculation that salary demands will send his draft stock tumbling and puts him at #22 to the Rangers.

First Round Mock Draft: Jonathan Mayo

Jonathan Mayo of mlb.com gives us his spin on how the first round of Monday's draft will play out.

1) Washington Nationals: Bryce Harper, College of Southern Nevada, C
2) Pittsburgh Pirates: Manny Machado, Brito HS, SS
3) Baltimore Orioles: Jameson Taillon, The Woodlands, RHP
4) Kansas City Royals: Chris Sale, Florida Gulf Coast, LHP
5) Cleveland Indians: Yasmani Grandal, Miami, C
6) Arizona Diamondbacks: Drew Pomeranz, Ole Miss, LHP
7) New York Mets: Michael Choice, UT-Arlington, OF
8) Houston Astros: Deck McGuire, Georgia Tech, RHP
9) San Diego Padres: Kolbrin Vitek, Ball State, 2B

Kolbrin Vitek At Bat

10) Oakland As: Zack Cox, Arkansas, 3B
11) Toronto Blue Jays: Josh Sale, Bishop Blanchett HS, OF
12) Cincinnati Reds: Bryce Brentz, Middle Tennessee State, OF
13) Chicago White Sox: Barret Loux, Texas Tech, RHP
14) Milwaukee Brewers: Nick Castellanos, Archbishop McCarthy HS, 3B
15) Texas Rangers: Brandon Workman, Texas, RHP

Continue Reading...

MLB Draft Rumors: Yasmani Grandal, Mike Aviles, Kyle Parker

Let's take a look at some of the draft rumors swirling around today:

  • Frankie Pilierre from MLB Fanhouse have agreed to a pre-draft deal with Miami C Yasmani Grandal
  • The report may be erroneous writes Jonathan Mayo of mlb.com, but the Royals wouldn't be able to announce the deal before the draft anyway, so it is hard to say.
  • Within Mayo's post, he notes that high school pitcher Robbie Aviles has an elbow injury, a partial ligament tear and flexor strain.  Aviles was a possibility for the supplemental round, but now may fall significantly.

Robbie Aviles Winds Up

  • Keith Law of espn.com notes that if Grandal does go to the Royals, the ripple effect will be interesting.  It could affect where six clubs pick: Diamondbacks at #6, Mets at #7, Reds at #12, Brewers at #14 and Rangers at #15.  
  • In another post, Law talk more about Grandal and how his selection would affect the clubs beneath him and notes that the Rockies are considering Kyle Parker with the 26th pick.
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2010 First Round Picks

Bryce Harper
Bryce Harper
Jameson Taillon
Jameson Taillon
Manny Machado
Manny Machado
Christian Colon
Christian Colon
Drew Pomeranz
Drew Pomeranz
Barret Loux
Barret Loux
Matt Harvey
Matt Harvey
Delino DeShields Jr.
Delino DeShields Jr.
Karsten Whitson
Karsten Whitson
Michael Choice
Michael Choice
Deck McGuire
Deck McGuire
Yasmani Grandal
Yasmani Grandal
Chris Sale
Chris Sale
Dylan Covey
Dylan Covey
Jake Skole
Jake Skole
Hayden Simpson
Hayden Simpson
Josh Sale
Josh Sale
Kaleb Cowart
Kaleb Cowart
Mike Foltynewicz
Mike Foltynewicz
Kolbrin Vitek
Kolbrin Vitek
Alex Wimmers
Alex Wimmers
Kellin Deglan
Kellin Deglan
Christian Yelich
Christian Yelich
Gary Brown
Gary Brown
Zack Cox
Zack Cox
Kyle Parker
Kyle Parker
Jesse Biddle
Jesse Biddle
Zach Lee
Zach Lee
Cameron Bedrosian
Cameron Bedrosian
Chevez Clarke
Chevez Clarke
Justin O'Connor
Justin O'Connor
Cito Culver
Cito Culver