The Nationals just signed fourth round pick A.J. Cole, who was not only the least likely top ten pick in their own draft to sign, but one of the least likely to sign picks in the whole 2010 draft.
Cole, a 6'5" right-hander, is a high school pitcher with first-round ability. He slid after making a commitment to the University of Miami and showing some inconsistency. Guys like this have a lot of incentive to go to school and improve their stock, so the Nationals probably weren't going to get him without paying him first-round money.
That they did, setting a fourth round record by signing Cole for $2 million. The MLB recommendation for that pick was $258,300.
The team also announced the above-slot signing of Sammy Solis. This is less of a surprise, but also good news. Solis is a left-handed college pitcher and signed for $1 million.
With Bryce Harper still to sign, these deals mean that the Nationals are very likely to be the highest-spending team in the draft for the second year in a row.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
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3 comments:
This is great news. I have been glad to be away from the team during our vacation in Wisconsin, since they have been so abject. However, this gets me excited again, and Harper and Ray signings will put me right back on the bandwagon with a stupid foam #1 hand.
Now is the time to send Scott Olsen out to pasture. Save the 100K per remaining start and put it into those bonuses.
A great draft, but it won't be anything but a disappointment if Harper doesn't sign.
Also, Callis is saying Ray is signed for $799,000.
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