The Detroit Free Press is reporting that the Detroit Tigers have signed 1st round pick Ryan Perry. The signing bonus is said to be $1.48 million. Perry said that the Tigers would like him "to be in the big leagues...once the rosters are expanded" on Sept. 1, and that he will start the season in Class A Lakeland this week.

There's one good thing about the MLB slotting system. I love the way all the players start to sign once a few set the market.

(Photo courtesy of the Tucson Citizen)

Hype Up the Story Here!

The Oakland A's announced today that they have agreed to terms with Jemile Weeks, their first round selection from the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.

From the A's press release (if you didn't already know Jemile's story)...

Weeks earned first team All-ACC honors this year at the University of Miami and batted .363 with 13 home runs and 62 RBI in 63 games.  He also had 17 doubles and five triples for a .641 slugging percentage and was successful in 22 of 23 stolen base attempts.  The 21-year old junior was also named a Louisville Slugger First Team All-American by Collegiate Baseball and is the brother of the Milwaukee Brewers’ Rickie Weeks.  The switch-hitter was originally drafted by the Brewers in the eighth round of the 2005 draft but did not sign and attended Miami.  He is the Hurricanes all-time leader in triples (18).  Weeks was selected with the 12th overall pick in the draft, the earliest the A’s have drafted a player since 1999 when they selected Barry Zito with the ninth overall pick.

The Tampa Bay Rays today signed shortstop Tim Beckham, the first overall pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.  Beckham, 18, was drafted by the Rays out of Griffin High School in Griffin, GA on June 5.  Beckham, who received a $6.15 million signing bonus, will report to the Rays Appalachian League affiliate in Princeton, W.V., to begin his professional career.

"We are thrilled to add an athlete of Tim's talent and character to our organization," said Andrew Friedman, Rays Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations.  "That we were able to conclude the signing process just two weeks after the draft is a testament both to the relationship that our scouting staff formed with Tim and his family, and of course to Tim's enthusiasm for the game.  He has true five-tool potential, and we look forward to helping him develop his unique abilities."

Now that the first and supplemental rounds are in the books, there are several intriguing names that remain available in the 2008 amateur draft. Whether signability or other issues are to blame, the talent level still available is sure to make some organizations extremely happy during the rest of day one.

Here's a list of hot commodities that have fallen lower than projected so far. It will be interesting to see how long before these names are called this evening.

Tim Melville, RHP (HS, Mo.)
Alex Mayer, RHP (HS, Ind.)
Ross Seaton, RHP (HS, Texas)
Robbie Ross, LHP (HS, Ky.)
Kyle Lobstein, LHP (HS, Fla.)
Destin Hood, OF (HS, Ala.)
Aaron Weatherford, RHP (Miss. State.)
Sonny Gray, LHP (HS, Tenn.)
Tanner Scheppers, RHP (Fresno State)

And now, the rest of the first round...

21. Ryan Perry, RHP, Detroit Tigers (U. of Arizona)

College reliever, throws mid-90s. Fastball doesn't move a lot and command sometimes wavers. Good slider, but inconsistent.   

Quotes:

“The Tigers organization is pleased to select Ryan Perry today,” Tigers Vice President, Amateur Scouting David Chadd said. “We look forward to adding a pitcher of Ryan’s caliber and potential to our system.”

• U. of Arizona bio
• MLB.com

22. Reese Havens, SS, New York Mets (U. of South Carolina)

Consistent at bat and in the field, Havens has good pop for a middle infielder and draws praise for his makeup.

• U. of South Carolina bio
• MLB.com

23. Allan Dykstra, 1B, San Diego Padres (Wake Forest U.)

Tremendous raw power, very big kid. Strictly a first baseman. He's a nice pickup for the Padres, but at #42, not #23.   

• Wake Forest U. bio
• MLB.com

24. Anthony Hewitt, OF/SS, Philadelphia Phillies (Salisbury (Conn.) School)

Terrific athlete who draws comparisons to Bo Jackson. Opinions vary on how well his tools will develop into usable baseball skills.

• MLB.com

25. Christian Friedrich, LHP, Colorado Rockies (Eastern Kentucky U.)

Throws low-90s, with decent secondary pitches and so-so command. Viewed as a mid-rotation type.

Quotes:

“Christian is a left-handed college starting pitcher with a track record of success,” Rockies Vice President of Scouting Bill Schmidt said.  “He has a four-pitch mix and a very good breaking ball.”

• MLB.com

26. Daniel Schlereth, LHP, Arizona Diamondbacks (U. of Arizona)

Son of former NFL offensive lineman Mark Schlereth. Throws mid-90s after missing a year due to Tommy John surgery. Said to have a "football mentality" (big surprise), but there are concerns about his command.

Quotes:

“Daniel’s a guy we started to scout when he was 14,” said Tom Allison, D-backs’ Director of Scouting.  “Our scout, Rodney Davis, has watched him mature and come on to establish himself as a premier reliever.  He has had success in a bullpen role at the University of Arizona and we’re excited to have him.”

• U. of Arizona bio
• MLB.com

27. Carlos Gutierrez, RHP, Minnesota Twins (U. of Miami)

Another Tommy John survivor, Gutierrez isn't the hardest thrower (low-90s) but gets good sinking action and commands his pitches well. Profiles as a reliever.

• U. of Miami bio

28. Gerrit Cole, RHP, New York Yankees (Orange (Calif.) Lutheran HS)

A top 20 talent who slipped due to signability concerns, Cole has drawn comparisons to Philip Hughes and J.J. Putz. His fastball runs in the mid-90s and he complements it with a hard breaking ball. The one knock on Cole seems to be his maturity. Whether that's a function of his age or something else is unknown.

• MLB.com

29. Lonnie Chisenhall, SS/3B, Cleveland Indians (Pitt CC, Greeneville, N.C.)

Line-drive hitter with gaps power, strong arm. Probably won't stick at shortstop. Had off-field problems in the past, but those appear to be behind him.

• MLB.com

30. Casey Kelly, RHP/SS, Boston Red Sox (Sarasota (Fla.) HS)

Son of former big-league infielder Pat Kelly. Committed to play quarterback and shortstop at Tennessee. Good defender and power potential, although his bat is unrefined. As with Cole, he slipped due to signability. And as with Cole, he was grabbed by an organization for whom money is no object.

• MLB.com

16. Brett Lawrie, C/INF, Milwaukee Brewers (Brookswood SS, Langley, B.C.)

Big-time power, defense is a question. Compared to Craig Biggio and Dan Uggla. Probably a bit of a reach here.  

Quotes:

 “We are happy to have selected a player that is very aggressive and is a multiple position performer” said Vice President/Special Assistant to the General Manager for Player Personnel Jack Zduriencik. “He has caught and also played third base, second base and left field. Brett brings skills and the all-around tool package necessary to be a very positive player for the Brewers organization.”

• MLB.com

17. David Cooper, 1B, Toronto Blue Jays (U. of California)

Polished hitter, good power stroke, passable defender.

• MLB.com

18. Ike Davis, 1B/OF, New York Mets (Arizona State U.)

Son of former big-league pitcher Ron Davis draws praise for his power and arm strength. He's mostly played first base in college, but opinion is divided on whether he has the necessary athleticism to handle a corner outfield spot.

• MLB.com

19. Andrew Cashner, RHP, Chicago Cubs (Texas Christian U.)

Works in the mid- to upper-90s with his fastball and complements it with a good slider. Command isn't always there, and he projects as a reliever.

• MLB.com

20. Joshua Fields, RHP, Seattle Mariners (U. of Georgia)

Similar to Cashner, with maybe a tick less power.

Quotes:

"Josh has proved to be one of the top college pitchers in this year's draft," Vice President of Scouting Bob Fontaine said.  "We are very happy that he was available when we made our selection. With his potential, we think he can only get better in the future and we are extremely pleased to have the rights to him."

• MLB.com

Smoak, Weeks, Wallace, Hicks, and Martin...   more »

Draft coverage continues...   more »