2011 MLB Draft News and Notes for August 9th

1.3K

The MLB Signing Deadline is fast approaching as all teams have until midnight on August 15th to sign their draft picks or they will head to college for the 2012 season. Here is the latest news and notes from around the country.

College Baseball Daily spoke with a source close to both Washington State’s Taylor Ard (25th round pick of Boston Red Sox) and Derek Jones (13th round pick of Baltimore Orioles) who stated that there was no chance that either would sign with their respective teams. If our source is true, the Washington State Cougars chances of winning the 2012 Pac-12 title would raise exponentially.

The Houston Astros have signed 11 out of their first 13 picks in the 2011 MLB Draft with UConn’s George Springer and Vanderbilt’s Jack Armstrong. Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports that Springer recently came to Houston to have his physical while Armstrong will go to Houston after his team is eliminated from the Cape Cod Baseball League playoffs. Armstrong has battled a shoulder injury all summer with Yarmouth-Dennis which has seen him go from a starter’s role into a reliever.

Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star reports that the Kansas City Royals plan on offering Nebraska recruit Bubba Starling “the highest signing bonus in team history.”

Virginia signee and Texas Rangers 6th round pick Derek Fisher is not expected to sign with the MLB club according to a report from T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. Fisher was named the 2011 Pennsylvania High School Player of the Year and expected to make an immediate impact in the Cavaliers lineup as a freshman.

Arizona signee Kenny Giles has signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for $250k bonus according to a tweet from Baseball America’s Jim Callis. Giles has topped out at 99 MPH with his fastball and could be a first riser through the system.

 

Alex Spier of WEEI.com has a rundown of the Red Sox top 13 picks and the progress the team has made with them. The list includes unsigned draft picks of UConn RHP Matt Barnes (1st round, 19th overall), Texas signee Blake Swihart (1st round, 26th overall), Miami (FL) signee Henry Owens (1st round supplemental, 36th overall), South Carolina OF Jackie Bradley Jr. (1st round supplemental, 40th overall), Cal State Fullerton RHP Noe Ramirez (4th round), Tennessee signee Mookie Betts (5th round), Kansas signee Cody Kukuk (7th round) and Ole Miss signee Senquez Golson (8th round). You can check out the full list by clicking here.

Scotty Barlow who was selected in the sixth round of the MLB Draft has signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers according to a report from Cary Osbourne of The Santa Clarita Valley Signal. Barlow was a Fresno State commitment out of Golden Valley High School. Interesting enough, he wore the number 42 in high school to honor the legendary Jackie Robinson. Two other players from that area are unsigned right now with USC commitment Christian Lopes and College of Canyons David Haerle.

The St. Petersburg Times is reporting South Florida signee Roderick Shoulders from State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota has signed with the Chicago Cubs after being selected in the 25th round in the 2011 MLB Draft. The deal has to be finalized by a physical and he hopes to report by the end of the week. Shoulders led all junior college players in Florida with 58 RBI this past season. He was a 20th round selection in the 2010 MLB Draft by the Boston Red Sox in 2010.

Oklahoma’s Tyler Ogle has agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Dodgers according to Jim Callis of Baseball America. Ogle hit .343 with nine homers and 45 RBI as he helped Oklahoma make the Fort Worth Regional. The deal is reportedly worth $100k.

Long Beach State signee and Junior College of the Sequoias first baseman Ryan Rieger has signed with the Florida Marlins reports Aaron Fitt of Baseball America. Rieger was expected to compete for a starting spot in the lineup for the Dirtbags next season.

As always, follow us on Twitter for the latest breaking news @CB_Daily and on Facebook by clicking here.