The MLB Signing Deadline is fast approaching as all teams have till midnight on August 15th to sign their prospects or they will head to college. Here is the latest news and notes from around the country.
Clemson signee Daniel Norris, out Johnson City, TN and Science Hill High School was in Dunedin, Florida to have his physical according to a tweet from Keith Law on Friday afternoon. Norris was selected with the 74th overall pick but was widely considered to be the top lefthanded arm in the 2011 MLB Draft. If the news is true about him being in Dunedin for a physical, it would mean that the Blue Jays have started to seriously consider signing him and a deal could be coming soon.
Stanford’s Chris Reed is still not signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers but the team expects to sign the talented lefty in the coming days according to a report from Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. This is the first time that the Dodgers have drafted a Scott Boras advised player since the Luke Hochevar debacle in which Dodgers Logan White and Scott Boras getting into a war of words. White says things have been different this time though as he has a steady discussion with the Reed family. “It’s a family of integrity,” said White. “It’s been that way since the beginning and nothing’s changed. Chris is a great kid and he wants to play. Actually, I feel more optimistic about signing Reed than some of our other picks.” Reed had an outstanding junior season which saw him go 6-2 with a 2.56 ERA in 29 appearances and one start this year. He was a strikeout machine with 52 over 52 2/3 innings and holding opponents to a .211 batting average. He also converted nine of 11 saves.
Continuing the physical news, Dylan Bundy was in Baltimore on Friday for his. He stated to Baltimore Sun writer Jeff Zrebiac that he has not stated negotiations with the team. Bundy was selected with the fourth overall pick by the Orioles. If he does not sign, Bundy is committed to Eastern Oklahoma State Junior College with a letter of intent while giving his verbal to the University of Texas.
Adam McCalvy of MLB.com states that the Milwaukee Brewers have come to terms with second-round pick Jorge Lopez and fifth-rounder Michael Reed. Lopez was the top prospect from Puerto Rico and the Brewers were very surprised that he slipped down to them in the second round. Ole Miss signee Michael Reed is from Leander High School projects as an outfielder at the next level. According to Baseball America, Reed received a $500,000 bonus, which is well over Major League Baseball’s $154,800 recommendation for his slot. Reed was expected to be a key part of the Rebels outfield next season and the loss of him leaves a huge hole there.
McCalvy also reported that Milwaukee Brewers GM Doug Melvin recently sent a letter to both Texas RHP Taylor Jungmann and LHP Jed Bradley urging them to sign early so they could start their professional careers in the minors. Both players have highly regarded advisors with Jungmann being represented by Alan Hendricks and Greg Genske for Jed Bradley. It is expected that both players’ negotiations will go down to the last-minute as they try to get the most money out of the team. (LINK)
