2004 Draft Signing: Latest, Brewers ponied up $$ for Periard

[MassBrew]

It seems a little ambitious for this thread, but we may hear of signings as early as Tuesday, and definitely by Thursday for some of the mid-level picks.

 

This thread will be the place to track all those and post any negotiation-related stories.

[950opsLHcatcher]

Nothing on anyone yet... weird. Pionner League Opening Day is only 8 days away. I know we're not going after the Canadians, but someone should be signing here pretty quick.

[SoCalBrewfan]

I'm guessing that as in the past, they'll announce a bunch all at once...some have probably already signed but just not been announced. Others are still playing, etc...but I don't think they'll have to forfeit any games for lack of players...http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/wink.gif

[950opsLHcatcher]

Yah, they almost field a Helena team right now, so I'm not really worried about that aspect. It's just wierd... I thought that they usually have announced a few en masse signing by a few days after the draft.

[950opsLHcatcher]

Courtesy of the Magic 8 Ball himself, the first official signee that we know about:

 

The 4th rounder from Rice, RHP Josh Baker. Baker has been assigned to Helena.

 

Patrick's scouting report, courtesy of THE brewerfan.net:

 

Baker's name often gets lost when talking about Rice pitchers. Baker started his collegiate career at Alabama, but then transferred after his freshman year. He comes from an extremely athletic family as his father played in the NFL, his uncle played in the Major Leagues while his brother-in-law is Astros outfielder Lance Berkman. At 6'5", 210 pounds Baker has the perfect body for a pitcher. He went 8-0 as a sophomore for Rice, and as a junior he has assumed the role as spot starter & long reliever. He doesn't have the pure stuff of any of his 3 more heralded teammates, but he throws in the 89-91 range with a good slider. He struggles with control at times, but when he's on he can be dominant.

[JoeHova]

any monetary info? Did he get the $400, 000 bonus he was supposedly looking for?

[DHonks]

Okay, so I hate to make this post (so please delete it if you must, or else create a new signings thread), but I was wondering if we could all not post questions and comments in the Draft signings thread. Instead, please just post the relevant information and perhaps the signing bonus. But otherwise it'll get annoying sorting through posts to find signing updates

 

edit: not directly at you, Joe. But in general, we already have several posts for 1 signing. Once they start being reported, it might be hard to sift through and find the actual info in these threads

[JoeHova]

all I did was ask for the bonus info

[950opsLHcatcher]

Post to your hearts' content here... if you just want to see who is signed or not, go here:

p082.ezboard.com/fbrewers...=666.topic

 

Or here:

www.brewerfan.net/ViewDraft.do?draftId=2

[BucEbadger1979]

Well i guess we dont have to worry about Baker going back to school now. Wonder whos the next sign Salome Gallardo or Rogers?? would be nice to see all four in Helena for the rest of summer. By the way could Baker move up to Beloit at the end of the year to help push for a playoff spot??

[TrueBrew]

I think it is safe to say that Baker should be in Beloit by the end of the year as he is a college pitcher. I hope so at least.

[lend d money]

As mentioned in another thread, it's the lure of the turtle. Everyone aspires to be a Snapper, but only a chosen few get to realize that dream.

[hscoach]

how often will we find out when someone signs? Is Baker the only one signed?

[950opsLHcatcher]

how often will we find out when someone signs?

 

Well, someone has to tell us. Sometimes we just get it from another news source, sometimes one of our people emails us about it, or sometimes brewcru stops by the board and tells us something. As soon as we know, everyone else knows.

 

Is Baker the only one signed?

 

In all likelyhood, no. We just haven't recieved confirmation on anyone else yet. High school kids drafted (like Yo Gallardo) usually take a little longer. I'd guess it'll be another week before we sign him.

[colbyjack]

Jim Powell mentioned just now that the Brewers reportedly are close to signing 8th rounder Brandon Parillo, a shorter lefty from California.

[colbyjack]

This isn't about a Brewers signee, but I didn't want to start a different thread. I only bring it up knowing how many people here follow the Twins.

 

The Twins already have signed Kyle Waldrop & Trevor Plouffe. The signed Waldrop quickly for $1 million, likely a pre-draft deal. Waldrop had a commitment to Vandy, never an easy school to pry a prep player away from. Plus, they're reportedly close to signing Matt Fox, and are expected to sign Glen Perkins.

 

They might have a harder time signing Jay Rainville & Anthony Swarzak, but still, signing their first 4 picks, all first-rounders, is rather impressive for a budget-minded ballclub. I suppose that's how you make up for losing so many high-profile free agents.

[950opsLHcatcher]

I heard a rumor around these parts (aka St. Paul) that the Twins weren't allowed to increase their payroll at all this season because of all the early draft picks. So, I'm not surprised that they have signed these guys already, and I won't be surprised when they sign all their top 10 picks. When Terry Ryan has money with which to work, he uses it all.

[taylor07]

I believe Grant Richardson has signed from Washington State. He is in Helena right now.

[SoCalBrewfan]

Looks to me like the Twins will have done a nice job in the draft, then...they picked good talent with their picks, and some wondered if they could sign it all. Waldrop and Plouffe is a heckuva start...it might be that Plouffe immediately becomes their top middle infield prospect.

[MassBrew]

As of this morning, the White Sox had signed 21 draft picks.

 

I'm thinking we should know a lot more than what we do, even if there are a bunch of DFE candidates this year. http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/ohwell.gif

[taylor07]

I am going to double check on this but I think the third round pick Josh Wahpepah is now at Helena. Will check this out for sure.

[colbyjack]

Jim Powell reported on tonight's broadcast that the Brewers have signed 10 of their draft picks:

 

3rd rounder Wahpepah

4th rounder Baker

5th rounder Salome

8th rounder Parillo

10th rounder Sollman

13th rounder Ayala

14th rounder Richardson

23rd rounder Festa

32nd rounder Needham

33rd rounder Bernal

[hscoach]

once again guys i coched him his jr yr, the kid is great. You guys will come to love him as much as I do. I wish I could have neen at Tech his SR year but Yo, or we sometimes called him GEO, cause his fastball was as fast as one will be a great pitcher for you guys.

[colbyjack]

His fastball was as fast as a Geo? Does that mean it will take him until the 5th inning to reach the 60s? That's not good http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/smile.gif .

 

Thanks coach, we definitely appreciate your input, and hope that you stick around & find yourself at home here.

[MassBrew]

From mlb.com:

 

Wahpepah, Baker, Sollmann, Richardson, Festa and Needham were assigned to Helena in the rookie Pioneer League. The rest were assigned to the Brewers' rookie Arizona League affiliate.