Baseball Rumor Mill

2010 Draft Signings By the Numbers

When it comes to draft signings, a lot of emphasis is placed on how much money certain picks got and why.  With good reason, too - it can often explain why a draft pick went as high as he did or why another slid to the later rounds despite being a top talent.

However, another important indicator of a draft haul is the total amount of money a team spends on its draft class and its percentage above slot bonus.  The Red Sox, for one, did not hand out any extremely large contracts such as those given to Zach Lee of the Dodgers or Nick Castellanos of the Tigers, but spent the 3rd most money of any team in 2010, behind the Pirates and Nationals who each had a large chunk of their draft budget go to the #2 and #1 picks, respectively. 

Nick Castellanos Laughs

Nick Castellanos got a record $3.45M signing bonus for a supplemental round pick from the Tigers

Similarly, the Yankees spent "only" $5.126M on their 2020 draft class, which would put them in the middle of the pack, but were 188% over slot value, good for fourth. 

The draft signing numbers are courtesy of Baseball America's Jim Callis who compiled the team numbers and plenty more.   For those of you who love to see the numbers behind baseball, especially as it pertains to money (like me), Jim's got a bunch of great charts to look at.

2010 Draft Signing Reactions

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. 

Bryce Harper College of Southern Nevada

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.

 

Draft Signing Rumors: Barret Loux, Kyle Parker, Zach Lee

While there have been rumors of Michael Choice, the 10th pick of the 2010 draft, signing with Oakland, nothing definitive has come out indicating that a deal is done.  In fact, for quite a while now movement on first round signings has been quiet.  That's not all that surprising as many are expected to take their contract negotiations down to the wire. 

In the meantime, we get to speculate on when, how and if players will sign.  Jason Churchill of espn.com and Jonathan Mayo of mlb.com did the honors for us recently with their evaluations of how the first round signing talks are going. 

Four of the top five picks have yet to sign (#4 Christian Colon has already agreed to a $2,75M signing bonus) and all indications look like all four will go down to the wire with their negotiations.  Mayo also lumps UNC pitcher Matt Harvey, the #7 pick by the Mets, and Yasmani Grandal, the #12 pick by the Reds, into that group.  The deadline to sign 2010 draft picks is August 16, 2010.

Barret Loux Kicks

Texas A&M pitcher Barrett Loux, the #6 pick, failed his physical with the Diamondbacks making thing complicated.  Both Churchill and Mayo compare his situation with that of Padres reliever Tim Stauffer, the #4 pick in 2003.  One alternative, Churchill writes, is to not sign Loux and take the 7th pick in the 2011 draft.

Mayo writes that the #8 pick, Delino DeShields Jr., is expected to sign with the Astros before the deadline.

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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

Draft Links: Yasmani Grandal, Tony Wolters, Drew Vettleson

More draft rumor links to pass along as we get closer to the start of the draft at 7pm.  As a reminder, we'll be live blogging the draft starting at 7pm.

  • The Royals reported pre-draft deal for Miami C Yasmani Grandal was for $2.9M and Frankie Piliere of AOL Fanhouse reports that the Indians, selecting at #5, have topped that offer.  Piliere opines that the Royals will still take Grandal at #4, but that a new deal will have to be negotiated.  In his mock draft, espn.com's Keith Law writes that no pre-draft deal was in place between Grandal and the Royals and that the Royals are now looking to take Florida Gulf Coast lefty Chris SaleBob Dutton of the Kansas City Star confirms that report.

Chris Sale Watches His Pitch

  • Jim Callis of Baseball America suggests that the Royals could go a completely different route and not take Grandal or Sale.  Another option is to take Grandal or Sale and if they don't sign, the Royals have the #5 pick in the 2011 draft.
  • Tony Wolters has been linked to the Braves who's first pick is #35, but Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus tweets that the high school infielder is being looked at by the Angels who pick at #18, #29 and #30 or the Blue Jays in the compensation round.
  • Goldstein also believes that Drew Vettleson is a possibility for the Dodgers at #28.

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...

Updated First Round Mock Draft: Keith Law

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

Karsten Whitson Begins His Delivery

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

Continue Reading...

First Round Mock Draft: Keith Law

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: Michael Choice, UT-Arlington, OF

Michael Choice Watches His Hit

7) New York Mets: Zack Cox, Arkansas, 3B
8) Houston Astros: Josh Sale, Bishop Blanchett HS, OF
9) San Diego Padres: Kolbrin Vitek, Ball State, 2B
10) Oakland As: Dylan Covey, Marantha HS, RHP
11) Toronto Blue Jays: Karsten Whitson, Chipley HS, RHP
12) Cincinnati Reds: Yasmani Grandal, Miami, C
13) Chicago White Sox: Deck McGuire, Georgia Tech, RHP
14) Milwaukee Brewers: Nick Castellanos, Archbishop McCarthy HS, 3B
15) Texas Rangers: Kellin Deglan, Langley HS, C

Continue Reading...

First Round Mock Draft: Yahoo! Sports

Yahoo! Sports is the latest entity to take a stab at a mock draft of Monday's first round.  Here's their take:

1) Washington Nationals: Bryce Harper, College of Southern Nevada, C
2) Pittsburgh Pirates: Drew Pomeranz, Ole Miss, LHP
3) Baltimore Orioles: Jameson Taillon, The Woodlands, RHP
4) Kansas City Royals: Deck McGuire, Georgia Tech, RHP
5) Cleveland Indians: Manny Machado, Brito HS, SS
6) Arizona Diamondbacks: Karsten Whitson, Chipley HS, RHP
7) New York Mets: Dylan Covey, Marantha HS, RHP

Dylan Covey Fires


8) Houston Astros: Yasmani Grandal, Miami, C
9) San Diego Padres: Zack Cox, Arkansas, 3B
10) Oakland As: Bryce Brentz, Middle Tennessee State, OF
11) Toronto Blue Jays: Chris Sale, Florida Gulf Coast, LHP
12) Cincinnati Reds: Anthony Ranaudo, LSU, RHP
13) Chicago White Sox: Christian Colon, Cal State Fullerton, SS
14) Milwaukee Brewers: Josh Sale, Bishop Blanchett HS, OF
15) Texas Rangers: Brandon Workman, Texas, RHP

Continue Reading...

First Round Mock Draft: Prospect Junkies

Prospect Junkies provides another stab at how the first round will play out.  Let's take a look.

To view other mock drafts, click here.

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: Drew Pomeranz, Ole Miss, LHP
5) Cleveland Indians: Chris Sale, Florida Gulf Coast, LHP
6) Arizona Diamondbacks: Deck McGuire, Georgia Tech, RHP
7) New York Mets: Zack Cox, Arkansas, 3B
8) Houston Astros: Josh Sale, Bishop Blanchett HS, OF
9) San Diego Padres: Kolbrin Vitek, Ball State, 2B
10) Oakland As: Michael Choice, UT-Arlington, OF
11) Toronto Blue Jays: Austin Wilson, Harvard-Westlake HS, OF

Austin Wilson Stretches

12) Cincinnati Reds: Alex Wimmers, Ohio State, RHP
13) Chicago White Sox: Brandon Workman, Texas, RHP
14) Milwaukee Brewers: Matt Harvey, UNC, RHP
15) Texas Rangers: Asher Wojciechowski, The Citadel, RHP

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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