Dylan Covey
Rumors

After the first round of the 2010 draft, there was speculation that the Los Angeles Dodgers selected two sport star Zach Lee without the intention of signing him.  Lee was considered a difficult sign because of his strong commitment to LSU to play football.  The thinking went that if Lee did not sign, the Dodgers would get around the 29th pick in the 2011 and Los Angeles is strapped for money amidst the ownership struggle.

However, the Dodgers surprised everyone by signing Lee to a $5.25M contract.  More importantly, perhaps it debunked the theory that the Dodgers were just throwing draft picks. 

Though the Dodgers and Lee were fortunate to get a deal done, three clubs in the first round were not.  As such, in 2011, they will receive the pick after what they had in 2010 as compensation for failure to sign their draft pick.  Here's a list of who failed to sign and what pick the teams will be compensated with.

• Barret Loux, 2010 #6, Diamondbacks: Loux failed a physical and instead of taking a risk, the Diamondbacks chose to pass on signing the pitcher from Texas A&M and tak the #7 pick in the 2011 draft.  Loux will be granted unrestricted free agency as of September 1st.  
• Karsten Whitson, 2010 #9, Padres: Whitson was unable to come to terms with the Padres and instead will play baseball for the University of Florida starting this fall.  The Padres will receive the #10 pick in 2011.

• Dylan Covey, 2010 #14, Brewers: Similar to Loux, the Brewers discovered a medical condition, diabetes, during Covey's physical.  It's unclear exactly why contract negotiations broke down after this illumination, but many suspect Covey chose to attend San Diego University instead of going to Milwaukee so he could be closer to home and have family assistance dealing with the diagnosis.  The Brewers will receive the 15th pick in 2011. 
• Ryne Stanek: 2010 3rd round pick, Mariners: Stanek did not reach an agreement and will attend Arkansas.  The Mariners compensation pick will be in the third round, pick number to be determined.

June 7th, 2010 should have been one of the most exciting days in the life of former Texas A&M pitcher Barret Loux.  After being selected with the #6 pick in the 2010 amateur draft, Loux likely had visions of seven figure signing bonuses dancing in his head.  After all, the player chosen before him, Drew Pomeranz, signed for $2.65M with the Indians and the player chosen after him, Matt Harvey, signed for $2.5M with the Mets.

Unfortunately for Loux, everything went south in the middle of July when he failed a physical given by the Arizona medical staff and it seemed all but certain that the Diamondbacks would decline to sign Loux and instead receive the 7th pick of the 2011 draft as compensation. 

The draftee signing deadline came and went this past Monday and Loux remained unsigned by the team that drafted him, marred by his failed physical.  Typically players do not sign because they either go to school (such as #14 pick, Dylan Covey) or want more money (such as #9 pick, Karsten Whitson).  Loux was in a very unique situation, having been unsigned for physical reasons.

The resulting situation was a tough one for Loux, who had no rights to negotiate with other teams while the Diamondbacks could sit back and take another pick next year and focus on signing their other draft picks.  However, everything changed for Loux yesterday when the Diamondbacks and Loux came to an agreement with the permission of the commissioners office to make Loux a free agent on September 1st, 2010, reports John Manuel of Baseball America.

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The dust has finally settled on Monday's draftee signing deadline and reactions are beginning filter out about what did teams did and why. 

It was an eventful signing day with #1 overall pick Bryce Harper either coming close to ($9.9M) or surpassing ($10.9M) Mark Teixeira's record for signing bonus by a position player ($10M) depending upon how you determine the value of the contract.  Harper's contract is structured as such where if he hits some reasonably attainable bonus clauses, the value could escalate above $10M, surpassing Teixeira's record. 

Beyond Harper and the large bonuses given out to many of the top picks, another big story was the large number of first round draft picks who did not sign with their team.  While the total of three may not seem very high, it is the most since the 1996 first round.  All three unsigned players were pitchers - Barret Loux (#6, Diamondbacks), Karsten Whitson (#9, San Diego) and Dylan Covey (#14, Milwaukee). 

Let's take a look at what people are saying:

• Keith Law of espn.com writes that the Harper deal was good for both sides (Insider subscription required).  Law also addresses the shock of the Zach Lee signing by the Dodgers and the curiosity behind Whitson's decision not to go to the Padres.  
• Baseball America's John Manuel covers many of the same topics as Law did in his signing breakdown as well as commenting on Nick Castellanos's record deal for a supplemental round pick with the Tigers.
• Nathan Rode of Baseball America provides a post-signing interview with Harper.  
• Keith Law gives his analysis of how each team fared at the signing deadline.  Broken down by league - AL and NL
• Jim Callis of Baseball America writes a sentence or two about the notable first round signings.

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

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

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

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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

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.

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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

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

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Keith Law of espn.com presents his most recent mock draft.  Here's his new take on the first round.

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: Chris Sale, Florida Gulf Coast, LHP
5) Cleveland Indians: Drew Pomeranz, Ole Miss, LHP
6) Arizona Diamondbacks: Matt Harvey, UNC, RHP
7) New York Mets: Zack Cox, Arkansas, 3B
8) Houston Astros: Josh Sale, Bishop Blanchett HS, OF
9) San Diego Padres: Karsten Whitson, Chipley HS, RHP

10) Oakland As: Michael Choice, UT-Arlington, OF
11) Toronto Blue Jays: Christian Colon, Cal State Fullerton, SS
12) Cincinnati Reds: Yasmani Grandal, Miami, C
13) Chicago White Sox: Asher Wojciechowski, The Citadel, RHP
14) Milwaukee Brewers: Deck McGuire, Georgia Tech, RHP
15) Texas Rangers: Delino DeSheilds Jr., Woodward Park Academy, 2B

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Keith Law of espn.com presents his most recent mock draft.  Here's his take on the first round.

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: Drew Pomeranz, Ole Miss, LHP
6) Arizona Diamondbacks: Deck McGuire, Georgia Tech, RHP
7) New York Mets: Matt Harvey, UNC, RHP
8) Houston Astros: Michael Choice, UT-Arlington, OF
9) San Diego Padres: Zack Cox, Arkansas, 3B
10) Oakland As: Stetson Allie, St. Edwards HS, RHP
11) Toronto Blue Jays: Gary Brown, Cal State Fullerton, OF

12) Cincinnati Reds: Christian Colon, Cal State Fullerton, SS
13) Chicago White Sox: Brandon Workman, Texas, RHP
14) Milwaukee Brewers: Alex Wimmers, Ohio State, RHP
15) Texas Rangers: Yasmani Grandal, Miami, C

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Keith Law of espn.com recently provided some rumors regarding Monday's amateur draft. 

• Law confirms Churchill's earlier assertion that the Mets are interested in UNC pitcher Matt Harvey with the #7 pick.  This assumes someone like Manny Machado or Jameson Taillon does not fall to them.
• Dylan Covey had a few tough outings to end his season and his draft stock has suffered because of it.  If the As (10) and Blue Jays (11) do not take him, he could slide all the way to the Angles at 18 or Astros at 19. 
• The Blue Jays pick at 11 and are interested in high school catcher Justin O'Connor.

• The As at 12 also like O'Connor, but Law feels they'd take Cal State Fullerton SS Christian Colon before O'Connor.
• Colon could also make sense for the Royals at #4 because he's a low risk player with a high probability of making it to the majors, even if he has a relatively lower professional ceiling.  Polished would be the word to describe Colon.

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