Reymond Fuentes
Rumors

The August 17th deadline to sign plays from the 2009 MLB Draft is fast approaching. We'll use this page to update the signing status of all the first round picks.

The deadline for players to sign is August 17, 2009

1. Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals - Despite speculation that he would not signed, agreed to a $15M contract. (updated 8/17/09)
2. Dustin Ackley, Seattle Mariners - Agreed to a $7.5M signing bonus. (updated 8/17/09)
3. Donovan Tate, San Diego Padres - Instead of going back to UNC to play football, signed a contract with a 6.25M signing bonus (updated 8/17/09)
4. Tony Sanchez, Pittsburgh Pirates - Signed a well-publicized contract before the draft
5. Matt Hobgood, Baltimore Orioles - Signed a contract
6. Zach Wheeler, San Francisco Giant - Signed for $3.3M (updated 8/17/09)
7. Mike Minor, Atlanta Braves - Signed a contract with a record $2.42M signing bonus (updated 8/8/09)
8. Mike Leake, Cincinnati Reds - Agreed to a $2.2M contract (updated 8/15/09)
9. Jacob Turner, Detroit Tigers - Received a Rick Porcello-like signing bonus of $5.5M (updated 8/17/09)
10. Drew Storen, Washington Nationals - Signed a contract
11. Tyler Matzek, Colorado Rockies - Rumors were that it would take a lot of money to keep Matzek away from Oregon: signed for $3.3M (updated 8/17/09)
12. Aaron Crow, Kansas City Royals - Agreed to a $3M contract with the Royals (updated 9/21/09)
13. Grant Green, Oakland As - Agreed to a $2.75M signing bonus (updated 8/15/09)
14. Matt Purke, Texas Rangers - Decided to go to college instead of signing with the Rangers (updated 8/17/09)
15. Alex White, Cleveland Indians - Got a bit less than Minor, $2.25M signing bonus (updated 8/17/09)
16. Bobby Borchering, Arizona Diamondbacks - Agreed to a contract with a $1.8M signing bonus (updated 8/15/09)
17. AJ Pollock, Arizona Diamondbacks - Signed a contract
18. Chad James, Florida Marlins - Agreed to a $1.7M contract (updated 8/15/09)
19. Shelby Miller, St. Louis Cardinals - Inked a $2.875M signing bonus (updated 8/17/09).
20. Chad Jenkins, Toronto Blue Jays - Signed for $1.359M (updated 8/15/09)
21. Jiovanni Mier, Houston Astros - Signed a contract
22. Kyle Gibson, Minnesota Twins - Signed a $1.8M contract (updated 8/17/09)
23. Jared Mitchell, Chicago White Sox -Signed a contract
24. Randal Grichuk, Los Angeles Angels -Signed a contract
25. Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels - Signed a contract
26. Eric Arnett, Milwaukee Brewers - Signed a contract
27. Nick Franklin, Seattle Mariners - Signed for $1.28M (updated 8/15/09)
28. Reymond Fuentes, Boston Red Sox - Signed a contract
29. Slade Heathcott, New York Yankees - Agreed to a $2.2M signing bonus (updated 8/17/09)
30. LeVon Washington, Tampa Bay Rays - Ultimately did not sign with the Rays (updated 8/17/09)
31. Brett Jackson, Chicago Cubs - Signed a contract
32. Tim Wheeler, Colorado Rockies - Signed a contract

We had a number of sons and relatives selected in the draft this past week.

• Carlos Beltran's cousin, Reymond Fuentes, was picked by the Red Sox.
• Boston also took Carl Yastrzemski's grandson, Michael Yastrzemski.
• Dodgers owner Frank McCourt's son, Gavin McCourt was picked up by the Red Sox.  However, Scott Boras, will not represent him.
• The Orioles selected Mike Flacco the brother of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco.
• Robert Amaro, Phillies GM Ruben Amaro was drafted by the Phillies.
• The Cubs grabbed Joey Jocketty, the son of Reds general manager Walt Jocketty.
• The Tigers added another Porcello: Rick's brother Jake Porcello.
• Muhammad Ali's son, Asaad Ali, was taken by the Angels in the 40th round.
• The White Sox drafted general manager Kenny Williams son, Tyler Williams and Harold Baines Jr.
  

• Chuck Finder of The Pittsburgh Post Gazette says that the Pirates reached for Tony Sanchez.  I think everyone realizes that they did, but the pick was a financial one: he'll sign for less.
• The Diamondbacks had eight picks in the first three rounds - Bobby Borchering and AJ Pollock in the first round - and hope they will mine some impact players writes Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic.
• Jerry Brewer of The Seattle Times believes that Dustin Ackley was the right pick for Seattle.  I don't think anyone is going to argue with that.  Buster Olney of espn.com thinks that the top of the Mariners order could go 1. Ichiro Suzuki, 2. Ackley by 2011.
• The Padres aimed to draft ahtletic players with their early 2009 draft picks says Bill Center of The San Diego Union-Tribune.  Donovan Tate certainly fits that bill.
• By drafting Tyler Matzek the Rockies now have to make sure he doesn't go to Oregon for college.  It could cost them writes Irv Moss of The Denver Post.
• The Blue Jays are very impressed with their first round draft picks', Chad Jenkins, stuff, according to Richard Griffin of The Toronto Star.
• Minnesota took a gamble on Kyle Gibson who ended his season with a stress fracture in his forearm says La Velle Neal of The Minneapolis Star Tribune.
• Jared Mitchell has a high ceiling for the White Sox hopes Joe Cowley from The Chicago Sun-Times.
• The Red Sox hope that Reymond Fuentes has a similar career path to Jacoby Ellsbury writes Sean McAdam for the Boston Hearld.
• The Ranges have not been afraid to spend money on their draft picks recently and Kevin Sherrington of The Dallas Morning News notes that 2009 was no different.
• Marlins first round draft pick Chad James hopes he's on the major league roster in three years.
• LeVon Washington, the Rays first round draft picks, is ready to sign.
• The Orioles are not worried that Matt Hobgood was not rated as high as they had him in the 2009 draft.
• While Mike Trout (#24 to the Angels) was at the MLB studios at the draft, Stephen Strasburg watched the broadcast from his couch.

Here's a review of the first round of the 2009 MLB Draft.

1. Washington Nationals - Stephen Strasburg, RHP, San Diego State University
2. Seattle Mariners - Dustin Ackley, OF, UNC
3. San Diego Padres - Donovan Tate, OF, Cartersville HS, GA
4. Pittsburgh Pirates - Tony Sanchez, C, Boston College
5. Baltimore Orioles - Matt Hobgood, RHP, Norco HS, CA
6. San Francisco Giants - Zach Wheeler, RHP, East Paulding HS, GA
7. Atlanta Braves - Mike Minor, LHP, Vanderbilt
8. Cincinnati Reds - Mike Leake, RHP, Arizona State
9. Detroit Tigers - Jacob Turner, RHP, Westminster Christian Academy, MO
10. Washington Nationals - Drew Storen, RHP, Stanford
11. Colorado Rockies - Tyler Matzek, LHP, Capistrano Valley HS, CA
12. Kansas City Royals - Aaron Crow, LHP, Fort Worth Cats
13. Oakland As - Grant Green, SS, USC
14. Texas Rangers - Matt Purke, LHP, Klein HS, TX
15. Cleveland Indians - Alex White, RHP, UNC
16. Arizona Diamondbacks - Bobby Borchering, Bishop Verot HS, FL
17. Arizona Diamondbacks - AJ Pollock, OF, Notre Dame
18. Florida Marlins - Chad James, LHP, Yukon HS, OK
19. St. Louis Cardinals - Shelby Miller, RHP, Brownwood HS, TX
20. Toronto Blue Jays - Chad Jenkins, RHP, Kennesaw State
21. Houston Astros - Jiovanni Mier, SS, Bonita HS, CA
22. Minnestoa Twins - Kyle Gibson, RHP, Missouri
23. Chicago White Sox - Jared Mitchell, CF, LSU
24. Los Angeles Angels - Randal Grichuk, LF, Lamar Cons HS, TX
25. Los Angeles Angels - Mike Trout, CF, Millville Sr. HS, NJ
26. Milwaukee Brewers - Eric Arnett, RHP, Indiana
27. Seattle Mariners - Nick Franklin, SS, Lake Brantley HS, FL
28. Boston Red Sox - Reymond Fuentes, CF, Fernando Callejo HS, CA
29. New York Yankees - Slade Heathcott, OF, Texas HS, TX
30. Tampa Bay Rays - LeVon Washington, 2B, Buchholz HS, FL
31. Chicago Cubs - Brett Jackson, CF, University of California - Berkeley
32. Colorado Rockies - Tim Wheeler, OF, Cal State - Sacramento

For picks 1-5, 6-10, 11-15, 16-20 and 21-26 click on the links.

8:17pm With the 27th pick of the 2009 MLB Draft the Seattle Mariners select Nick Franklin.  The Red Sox are on the clock.

8:18pm Baseball Rumors Mill Best Available: Tanner Scheppers, Rex Brothers, Tim Wheeler

8:19pm The Red Sox have been rumored to be interested in catchers Wil Myers and Max Stassi, but the Red Sox could be very excited to see Scheppers fall to them.  I think they'll pull the trigger on Scheppers.

8:20pm The Sox have also struggled on a few catcher picks recently, so they could be a bit gun shy on Myers and Stassi.

8:21pm With the 28th pick of the 2009 MLB Draft the Boston Red Sox select Reymond Fuentes.  The New York Yankees are on the clock.

8:23pm One of three prep high school outfielders who were expected to be gone by now (along with Mike Trout and Everett Williams).

8:24pm How far does Scheppers fall?  Is it a similar situation to Aaron Crow where he actually gets picked lower than he did in 2008 (2nd round)?  And what does both he and Crow falling mean to draft picks this year who may be considering holding out?  In 2009 at least it has not done Crow or Scheppers any good.

8:25pm With the 29th pick of the 2009 MLB Draft the New York Yankees select Slade Heathcott.  The Rays are now on the clock.

8:28pm Keith Law called the Angels pick of Randall Grichuk the "worst pick of the first round."  Ouch.

8:29pm Jason Churchill wasted no time calling the Mariners pick of Nick Franklin the second worst pick of the first round after Grichuk.

8:30pm With the 30th pick of the 2009 MLB Draft the Tampa Bay Rays select LeVon Washington.  The Chicago Cubs are now on the clock.

8:32pm I'll be curious what Law and Churchill have to say about this pick.

8:33pm A quick note here, Slade Heathcott was drafted as an outfielder, but a few scouts have already said his future could be as a pitcher.

8:35pm With the 31st pick of the 2009 MLB Draft the Chicago Cubs select Brett Jackson.  The Colorado Rockies are on the clock.

8:36pm Harold Reynolds tells us that this is his favorite player in the draft.

8:38pm Law and Churchill don't kill Tampa Bay's Washington pick.  Shows what I know.  however, apparently the Rays really wanted Fuentes who went to the Red Sox two picks earlier.

8:40pm With the 32nd and final pick of the first round the Colorado Rockies select Tim Wheeler.

The first round is complete and I think the story of the draft so far (besides Strasburg) is Tanner Scheppers and Aaron Crow falling as far as they did.  Both were considered Top 10 talents and while Crow didn't fall nearly as far as Scheppers has (so far) what I'm curious about is how this affects the 2009 draft picks and the threat of holding out.  If the 2008 holdouts do worse in 2009, what does that mean for anyone trying to hold out in 2009?

The espn.com draft team of Keith Law and Jason Churchill have five (yes, FIVE!) draft updates for us today.  You can find each of them here, here, here, here and here.  We'll summarize them for you in one convenient location...below.

• The Pirates are interested in Tony Sanchez, Zach Wheeler, Matt Hobgood and Grant Green.
• Law likes the following: Wheeler to Baltimore, Tyler Matzek to San Francisco and Alex White to Atlanta. 
• The Braves like Matt Purke but don't want to pay him over slot.
• Atlanta's choice is between White and Mike Minor.  Churchill thinks Drew Storen is in the mix at #7 too.
• The Reds would like Minor, but if the Braves take him Chad Jenkins and Storen are options for them.
• Jenkins and Storen are also options for the Nationals at #10
• Churchill says that is Storen gets past the Nationals at #10, he might fall all the way out of the first round.  The Angels and Mariners like him, but likely do not have him high enough on their draft boards to select him in the 20s.  The Twins have some interest in Storen, but prefer Billy Bullock.
• Bobby Borchering may be the favorite to the Rockies at #11, even over Hobgood.
• If the Rockies do take Borchering at #11, the Diamondbacks will take AJ Pollock and Matt Davidson with their picks at 16 and 17.
• If Kansas City takes Mike Leake with #12 - and indications are that they are seriously considering it - Oakland would then choose between Green, Mike Trout and possibly Donovan Tate.
• Max Stassi worked out for the Red Sox this morning.
• St. Louis is rumored be interested in Purke.
• Detroit might not want to spend the money that Purke and Jacob Turner are rumored to be demanding.  If so, Rex Brothers and Chad James become options for them at #9.  The Tigers have also been linked to Borchering, Mike Trout and Reymond Fuentes.
• The Padres like Donovan Tate at #3, but if they feel they can't afford him, they'll go with Wheeler.  That would mean the Orioles take Hobgood.

Finally, Keith Law's latest Top 15.

1. Stephen Strasburg, Nationals
2. Dustin Ackley, Mariners
3. Tate, Padres
4. Sanchez, Pirates
5. Wheeler, Orioles
6. Matzek, Giants
7. White, Braves
8. Minor, Reds
9. Turner, Tigers
10. Storen, Nationals
11. Borchering, Rockies
12. Leake, Royals
13. Green, As
14. Shelby Miller, Rangers
15. Brothers or Eric Arnett, Indians

Jason Churchill of espn.com gives us a few questions that teams need to answer, internally, before Tuesday's draft.

1. Do the Pirates take Aaron Crow or Kyle Gibson?  One scout feels that Crow is the better arm, but Gibson is a safer pick and is more signable.  Gibson's forearm stiffness could scare teams.
2. The Reds could have a number of talented arms to pick from with the 8th pick: Tanner Scheppers, Tyler Matzek, Shelby Miller or Zach Wheeler (though many think Wheeler will be taken by the Braves at #7).
3. While Stephen Strasburg is obvious to the Nationals at #1, the decision the team will have to make is between Drew Storen and Chad James at #10.

Notes

• If the Nationals do not take Storen, the Angles would love to see him fall to them at #23.
• The Diamondbacks are hoping Grant Green gets to them at #16, but one of Kansas City (#12), Oakland (#13) and Cleveland (#15) are presumed to select him before Arizona has a chance.
• If the Angels get Storen with their first pick, they will take Reymond Fuentes with their second pick of the 23/24 sandwich they have.  Detroit at #9 is also a possibility to take Fuentes.

A number of links to pass along regarding specific teams

• The Pirates will not let Scott Boras's presence as a prospects advisor influence their decision to draft a player.  The Pirates have the #4 pick in the upcoming draft and are determined to sign their draftee in a far faster manner than they did with Pedro Alvarez last year, a Boras client.  Boras represents Stephen Strasburg, Dustin Ackley, Donovan Tate, Jacob Turner and Grant Green.  Strasburg and Ackley are unlikely to get to the Pirates and none of the mock drafts that we've seen so far have the Pirates reaching for Turner or Green.
• The Angels have five picks before the second round and are likely to take some chances with those picks.  The Angels first picks are picks #24 and #25 where Kieth Law of espn.com had them selecting Billy Bullock and Reymond Fuentes.  The Angels have been looking at Mike Trout (Law has him going to the White Sox at #23) as well as Everett Williams, Jiovanni Mier and Tyler Skaggs.  The Angels have a history of selecting high school players with high upside and with so many picks in the opening round, they're likely to do that again.
• The Padres pick third and have five players on their draft board: Strasburg, Ackley, Zach Wheeler, Aaron Crow and Mike Minor.  They're unlikely to get Strasburg or Ackley, so they'll likely have to settle for one of the aforementioned pitchers, something they're happy with.  
• Strasburg isn't talking about the draft, but focusing on the finish of his collegiate career.

Keith Law of espn.com put together his initial mock draft of the first round of the 2009 MLB Draft.  Interesting to compare his picks to those of Jonathan Mayo of mlb.com who made his selections last week.

1. Washington Nationals: Stephen Strasburg, RHP San Diego State
2. Seattle Mariners: Dustin Ackley, OF UNC
3. San Diego Padres: Aaron Crow, RHP Fort Worth Cats
4. Pittsburgh Pirates: Bobby Borchering, 3B/1B Bishop Verot HS, FL
5. Baltimore Orioles: Tanner Scheppers, RHP St. Paul Saints
6. San Francisco Giants: Tyler Matzek, LHP Capistrano Valley HS, CA
7. Atlanta Braves: Zach Wheeler, RHP East Paulding HS, GA
8. Cincinnati Reds: Grant Green, SS USC
9. Detroit Tigers: Jacob Turner, RHP Westminster Christian Academy, MO
10. Washington Nationas: Kyle Gibson, RHP Missouri
11. Colorado Rockies: Alex White, RHP UNC
12. Kansas City Royals: Wil Myers, C/3B Wesleyan Christian HS, NC
13. Oakland Athletics: Matt Hobgood, RHP Norco HS, CA
14. Texas Rangers: Shelby Miller, RHP Brownwood HS, TX
15. Cleveland Indians: Mike Leake, RHP Arizona State
16. Arizona Diamondbacks: AJ Pollock, OF Notre Dame
17. Arizona Diamondbacks: Tyler Skaggs, LHP Santa Monica HS, CA
18. Florida Marlins: Rex Brothers, LHP Lipscomb
19. St. Louis Cardinals: Mike Minor, LHP Vanderbilt
20. Toronto Blue Jays: Kyle Heckathorn, LHP Kennesaw State
21. Houston Astros: Chad James, LHP Yukon HS, OK
22. Minnesota Twins: Drew Storen, RHP Stanford
23. Chicago White Sox: Mike Trout, OF Millville HS, NJ
24. Los Angeles Angels: Billy Bullock, RHP Florida
25. Los Angeles Angels: Reymond Fuentes, CF Fernando Callego HS, Puerto Rico
26. Milwaukee Brewers: Matt Davidson, 3B Yucaipa HS, CA
27. Seattle Mariners: Eric Arnett, RHP Indiana
28. Boston Red Sox: Max Stassi, C Yuba City HS, CA
29. New York Yankees: Matt Purke, LHP Klein HS, TX
30. Tampa Bay Rays: Tommy Joseph, C Horizon HS, AZ
31. Chicago Cubs: Brett Jackson, OF California
32. Colorado Rockies: Tim Wheeler, CF Sacramento State

Jason Churchill of espn.com has a bunch of updates for us today along with a look at a few players who have fallen out of the Top 100 for various reasons:

• Casey Haerther, UCLA: "Anywhere from the fifth [round] to double digits," one assistant scouting director predicted for Haerther's spot in next month's draft. "He's a guy I'll worry about when it comes to the wood bat, and if he's a 1B or DH, he's going to have to show a lot more power."
• Chris Dominguez, Louisville: The third basemen has hit very well this season, but scouts do not project that he'll be able to play third at the major league level.  His defense puts him no higher than the fourth round.
• Ryan Ortiz, Oregon State: Defense has been a problem for Ortiz as he was moved off of first base to catcher because that's the only place they could keep him on the field.  He's a back up catcher at best at the professional level. 

Around the country:

• AJ Pollock continues to swing a very hot bat and had a strong start to the Big East Tournament with Notre Dame.  His late season surge into the first round continues to go higher.
• Drew Storen was shelled in his most recent outting.
• Grant Green committed his 16th error of the season.  For a player who's draft stock seems reliant on his defense, this is not a good sign.

Churchill also has an update from what Keith Law is hearing:

• The Cardinals are rumored to be interested in Rocky Mount HS outfielder Brian Goodwin with their first round pick (#19) in the 2009 MLB Draft.
• Mike Leake appears headed to the Indians at #15.
• Carlos Beltran's cousin, Reymond Fuentes does not seem likely to get past the Rangers with the 44th pick.
• General managers Theo Epstein of the Red Sox and Andrew Friedman of the Rays were both spotted at the SEC tournament, while Neal Huntington (Pirates), Jack Zduriencik (Mariners), Kevin Towers (Padres) and Brian Sabean (Giants) were all seen at Aaron Crow's outting this morning.
• The Yankees are interested in taking David Renfroe with their second round pick.