2014 Draftees and Status

[OregonStrosFan]

In order to keep separate pre- and draft/post-draft threads, the '2014 Draftees and Status' thread is now open (conversely, the '2014 Draft thread’ is now closed)...

The chart below will be updated to add draft results and signing status until the close of signings (note: the signing deadline for 2014 Rule 4 drafted players is 5 p.m. ET on July 18, 2014).

2014 Houston Astros Draft – Draftee Signing Status and ‘Bonus Pool’ Implications

Draftee

Rd/Pick            (1) 1  (Comp A) 37           (2) 42           (3) 75         (4) 106         (5) 136         (6) 166         (7) 196         (8) 226         (9) 256       (10) 286       (11) 316       (12) 346       (13) 376       (14) 406       (15) 436       (16) 466       (17) 496       (18) 526       (19) 556       (20) 586       (21) 616       (22) 646       (23) 676       (24) 706       (25) 736       (26) 766       (27) 796       (28) 826       (29) 856       (30) 886       (31) 916       (32) 946       (33) 976     (34) 1006     (35) 1036     (36) 1066     (37) 1096     (38) 1126     (39) 1156     (40) 1186

Signed

$ Allotment $7,922,100 $1,534.100 $1,530,000    $748,600    $494,800    $370,500    $277,400    $207,800    $162,800    $152,000    $142,100 [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000]

Signed for         --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --          --            --            --            --            --            --         --         --         --         --         --         --         --         --

Over/      [Under]              --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --               --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --              --              --              --              --              --              --              --              --

POS

Class

DOB

2014 Houston Astros Draft – Draft Results

Draftee

Rd/Pick             (1) 1   (Comp A) 37           (2) 42           (3) 75          (4) 106         (5) 136         (6) 166         (7) 196         (8) 226         (9) 256       (10) 286       (11) 316       (12) 346       (13) 376       (14) 406       (15) 436       (16) 466       (17) 496       (18) 526       (19) 556       (20) 586       (21) 616       (22) 646       (23) 676       (24) 706       (25) 736       (26) 766       (27) 796       (28) 826       (29) 856       (30) 886       (31) 916       (32) 946       (33) 976     (34) 1006     (35) 1036     (36) 1066     (37) 1096     (38) 1126     (39) 1156     (40) 1186

POS

School

Class

B/T

Ht/Wt

DOB

[Navin R Johnson]

Here we go....again.

[roadrunner]

Hopefully the last #1 for awhile.

[Ron Brand]

Aiken!

[Ebby Calvin]

#1 - Aiken

[subnuclear]

Good pick.

[roadrunner]

I like it.  The pitching depth in the minors is nuts even with Appel being awful.  He could be a fast-riser...2016 rotation?

[pots]

I like it.  The pitching depth in the minors is nuts even with Appel being awful.  He could be a fast-riser...2016 rotation?

Not a chance.  2017 is likely earliest

[Ron Brand]

Rodon doesn't go to the Marlins. Boras losing $$$ for his client with that $6MM price tag.

[roadrunner]

Not a chance.  2017 is likely earliest

Yeah I was being a little optimistic.  Another 17 year old...

[Duman]

I like it.  The pitching depth in the minors is nuts even with Appel being awful.  He could be a fast-riser...2016 rotation?

Easy there Herold Reynolds

Appel is not awful. He is not progressing as fast as was expected.  He had surgery right before ST in the core muscle area.  Pitchers do use those.  Now he has been diagnosed with a thumb injury.

Aiken will be doing great to get a taste of the majors in Sept 2017.

[Reuben]

Brady is a tan dude.

[Ron Brand]

Quick-hit interview with Aiken on MLB. He's excited, breathing a little heavy which is fun. He seems like a good kid, knows what it is to work and seems to appreciate what he's done and what he's in store for.

[Ron Brand]

Brady is a tan dude.

When he's not playing baseball, he surfs.

[astrosfan76]

When he's not playing baseball, he surfs.

So, he's a Gentile Ausmus?

[jbm]

When he's not playing baseball, he surfs.

A related aside of very limited significance:  the dude who writes for BP and used to work at the pitching academy with Tom House said that surfers generally had better arm health.  Something about the paddling strengthening the upper back and that helping the arm.

[Ron Brand]

A related aside of very limited significance:  the dude who writes for BP and used to work at the pitching academy with Tom House said that surfers generally had better arm health.  Something about the paddling strengthening the upper back and that helping the arm.

I can see the Astros developing an off-season surfing program...

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

A related aside of very limited significance:  the dude who writes for BP and used to work at the pitching academy with Tom House said that surfers generally had better arm health.  Something about the paddling strengthening the upper back and that helping the arm.

Check the wax.

[Reuben]

So where does Aiken pitch this season? Greeneville only?

[Duman]

So where does Aiken pitch this season? Greeneville only?

Likely goes to GCL for a month and then up to Gville to wrap up the season.  That is how they handled Correa, Ruiz & Mccullers two years ago.

[Reuben]

 Evan Drellich @EvanDrellich  ·  20m

Luhnow: "This is the most advanced high school pitcher I've ever seen in my entire career. He has command like I've never seen before."

[Reuben]

 Brian McTaggart @brianmctaggart  ·  1h

Luhnow on Aiken: "He could move very quickly."

[cougar]

Bradley Zimmer looks like he could be the younger brother of the character Schmidt from "The New Girl".

[Reuben]

Brian McTaggart @brianmctaggart  ·  23s

CORRECTS: Aiken throws a 2-seam, 4-seam fastball, curveball, changeup. He recently scrapped CUTTER because of rash of arm injuries.

...originally said changeup, and I thought "Huh?"

[Reuben]

Bradley Zimmer looks like he could be the younger brother of the character Schmidt from "The New Girl".

Or the son of Jaws from the Roger Moore James Bond movies.

[Reuben]

13 more picks til the Astros go again. Lots of high-ranking HS pitchers still on the board. Jacob Gatewood, who everyone seemed to think the Rays would take at #20, still out there too.

[astrosfan76]

Derek Fisher. Nice.

[Reuben]

Derek Fisher. Nice.

Don't know anything about him. BA report says he has 70 raw power, below-average defender, power hasn't really shown up in games. What's your take?

[astrosfan76]

Don't know anything about him. BA report says he has 70 raw power, below-average defender, power hasn't really shown up in games. What's your take?

Had a .453 OBP in the Cape, projects as plus hitter for average and power. He should be an average runner, also. He's fairly raw for a college player, but has really good upside. The MLB broadcast harped on the Virginia home park robbing powe, so it should be fun to watch him in pro ball.

[juliogotay]

Is it surprising that he was taken before Papi?

[astrosfan76]

And now AJ Reed, so there's our Papi pick.

[morningwood75]

Reed hit .336/.476/.735 with 23 homers and 49 walks to 48 strikeouts.

[juliogotay]

Reed hit .336/.476/.735 with 23 homers and 49 walks to 48 strikeouts.

You gotta pull for this kid. http://www.astroscounty.com/2014/06/with-42nd-overall-pick-in-draft-astros.html

[morningwood75]

You gotta pull for this kid. http://www.astroscounty.com/2014/06/with-42nd-overall-pick-in-draft-astros.html

I didn't think he'd fall to 42. I thought a team like Cleveland would take him before.

[morningwood75]

Had a .453 OBP in the Cape, projects as plus hitter for average and power. He should be an average runner, also. He's fairly raw for a college player, but has really good upside. The MLB broadcast harped on the Virginia home park robbing powe, so it should be fun to watch him in pro ball.

The Rangers took Fisher in the 6th round in 2011 and were not able to sign him. Fisher was one of the top HS bats in that class and wanted a large amount. He has major upside as astrosfan stated.

[hostros7]

You gotta pull for this kid. http://www.astroscounty.com/2014/06/with-42nd-overall-pick-in-draft-astros.html

That list of national players of the year from the SEC is strong to quite strong.

[juliogotay]

The Rangers took Fisher in the 6th round in 2011 and were not able to sign him. Fisher was one of the top HS bats in that class and wanted a large amount. He has major upside as astrosfan stated.

Law had Fisher as a mid-1st round talent. Had surgery to repair a hamate bone injury prior to the season.

[Fynn]

Law had Fisher as a mid-1st round talent. Had surgery to repair a hamate bone injury prior to the season.

Stats from Cape Cod league...134AB, 42 Hits with 6 doubles.....not a lot of power.

[Reuben]

Stats from Cape Cod league...134AB, 42 Hits with 6 doubles.....not a lot of power.

Hasn't shown power a lot in games, true. BA's scouting report says 70 raw power.

Keith Law ranked Fisher #15 on his list.

[Fynn]

Hasn't shown power a lot in games, true. BA's scouting report says 70 raw power.

Keith Law ranked Fisher #15 on his list.

Right....but I am a bit perplexed. While at Va for 3 years he hit a total of 17 HR's.  Even if he has such raw power, with such a lack of game performance it seems he should be too speculative for such a high pick.

[Reuben]

Right....but I am a bit perplexed. While at Va for 3 years he hit a total of 17 HR's.  Even if he has such raw power, with such a lack of game performance it seems he should be too speculative for such a high pick.

I hear you. If nothing else this demonstrates that the Astros rely on scouts and projection too, not just stats.

[jbm]

Right....but I am a bit perplexed. While at Va for 3 years he hit a total of 17 HR's.  Even if he has such raw power, with such a lack of game performance it seems he should be too speculative for such a high pick.

Aren't all the picks pretty speculative.

He seems more "scouty" than I'd expect, which is pretty cool, IMO.

[Fynn]

I hear you. If nothing else this demonstrates that the Astros rely on scouts and projection too, not just stats.

Sounds right-there must be something there which isn't evident in the stats. 

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Right....but I am a bit perplexed. While at Va for 3 years he hit a total of 17 HR's.  Even if he has such raw power, with such a lack of game performance it seems he should be too speculative for such a high pick.

Elsewhere I've seen UVA's home park compared to Petco. By the time he gets to Lancaster we probably won't be having this discussion.

[Jacksonian]

Sounds right-there must be something there which isn't evident in the stats. 

Sometimes the stats can tell you things when you look at them differently.  For example, despite having just more than half the at bats as the guys who played all year he was still 4th in homers on the team with 3.

Last year he was tied for second with 7.

[Navin R Johnson]

Considering where he was drafted/ranked out of HS, and considering where he was projected/taken this year, obviously a lot of scouts see something in him.  And yes UVA's park is huge, and the Cape is a pitcher's league where they use wooden bats.

But for someone as highly thought of, it is at least a bit surprising that the #s were as low as they were, especially someone projected with 70 power.

I have read Astros fans compare him to George Springer, saying they were both raw and extremely gifted and the numbers would come.  Maybe so, but Springer absolutely raked all 3 years he was at UCONN, 337 was his lowest average and 12 homers his lowest HR total.   He also homered several times on the Cape as a sophomore, and 3 times for TeamUSA before his junior season.

[Jacksonian]

By my count that's now 7 guys who are or will be in the minors with the talent and stuff to sit at the top of a major league rotation given good health and reasonable development.  Folty, Hader, McCullers, Appel, Velasquez, Feliz, and Aiken.  And that doesn't include any of the young guys at short season or the Dominican who may take strides beyond scouts' initial expectations.  And there are even more than that who as I understand the scouts' view are 3-5 starting pitcher caliber.

[Jacksonian]

Considering where he was drafted/ranked out of HS, and considering where he was projected/taken this year, obviously a lot of scouts see something in him.  And yes UVA's park is huge, and the Cape is a pitcher's league where they use wooden bats.

But for someone as highly thought of, it is at least a bit surprising that the #s were as low as they were, especially someone projected with 70 power.

I have read Astros fans compare him to George Springer, saying they were both raw and extremely gifted and the numbers would come.  Maybe so, but Springer absolutely raked all 3 years he was at UCONN, 337 was his lowest average and 12 homers his lowest HR total.   He also homered several times on the Cape as a sophomore, and 3 times for TeamUSA before his junior season.

Where is the note that he has 70 power.  I saw Elias say he has 70 speed.  The mlb.com write up doesn't have a 70 on him at all.

[Duman]

I have read Astros fans compare him to George Springer, saying they were both raw and extremely gifted and the numbers would come.  Maybe so, but Springer absolutely raked all 3 years he was at UCONN, 337 was his lowest average and 12 homers his lowest HR total.   He also homered several times on the Cape as a sophomore, and 3 times for TeamUSA before his junior season.

Only Springers last year was using a BBCOR bat.  The other years are apples to oranges.  The bat makes a big difference.

Also conference competition matters.  Big East verses ACC.

[Navin R Johnson]

http://www.astroscounty.com/search/label/Derek%20Fisher

[Navin R Johnson]

Only Springers last year was using a BBCOR bat.  The other years are apples to oranges.  The bat makes a big difference.

Very good point, I couldn't remember when they started using those things. 

And it is tough to compare even then, due to ballpark, conference and Fischer's injury.

[Navin R Johnson]

Sorry, here is a better link to the 70 power #.   Its a quote from a BA scouting report.

http://www.astroscounty.com/2014/06/with-37th-overall-pick-in-draft-astros.html

[Jacksonian]

Sorry, here is a better link to the 70 power #.   Its a quote from a BA scouting report.

http://www.astroscounty.com/2014/06/with-37th-overall-pick-in-draft-astros.html

Raw 70 power likely means they're seeing something in batting practice or in the mechanics of his swing.  Clearly his game day results aren't 70's.

[NeilT]

You have to wonder if they're not feeling comfortable enough with what's in the system to take a bit of a flier for the sake of low history but high upside.

[Jacksonian]

You have to wonder if they're not feeling comfortable enough with what's in the system to take a bit of a flier for the sake of low history but high upside.

If the writers at BA and MLB aren't too far off of teams' scouting then this isn't a flier.  He's apparently seriously athletic and very talented but in need of mechanical adjustments to parts of his game.  That's what the minors are for.

[Navin R Johnson]

AJ Reed Story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1ESKjKEC9E

[Fynn]

Round 3.
Still some good talent left.  Anyone have an idea of which round Jake Cosart might go?  It would be nice to have brothers in the same org.

[Reuben]

Round 3.
Still some good talent left.  Anyone have an idea of which round Jake Cosart might go?  It would be nice to have brothers in the same org.

I think mlb.com ranked him #99.

[Navin R Johnson]

Baseball America has Cosart ranked at #97.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft-preview/

[Duman]

Guesses from MLB show
Lamond - Rice

[Duman]

J D Davis - Cal State Fullerton - 3B
Another college bat

[Navin R Johnson]

Ranked 118 by BA.

From MLB.com

A 2011 fifth-round pick of the Rays out of Elk Grove (Calif.) HS, Davis turned down pro ball to attend Cal State Fullerton. Three years later, he's one of the better two-way talents in the Draft. Davis likely will get drafted as a first baseman, because his right-handed power is hard to ignore. He finished second in the Cape Cod League home run derby last summer, and he went deep six times in 123 at-bats with wood on the Cape (including the all-star game and playoffs). He controls the strike zone well and could hit for a solid average to go with his pop, with almost all of his value as a position player coming from his bat. Davis has power in his arm, too. As a reliever, he has worked at 92-94 mph with his fastball and 82-84 mph with his slider, and saw time this spring as Fullerton's closer.

[Duman]

Jake Cosart was drafted by Boston at 103

[Duman]

4th Round - Pick 106 - Daniel Mengden - Texas A&M - JR

[Fynn]

No real gambles on a tough-sign yet....per Crawfish boxes, J.B. Bukauskas has backed away somewhat from his commitment to UNC-perhaps could be had for the right price.  I wonder if playing alongside Aiken might tempt him to sign.

[Duman]

Four straight College JRs since drafting Aiken 1-1

[Duman]

Round 5, Pick 136 Jacob Nix - RHP, Los Alamitos HS (CA)

Summary of comments - Big guy (6'3 - 200) Had great summer last year but struggled some this spring.  All the tools are there but need to develop.  Can hit 96 mph
Committed to UCLA

[Duman]

Round 6, Pick 166 Brock Dykxhoorn RHP Central Arizona College 6'8" 240 (Junior College 2)

From Canada

fastball, change up, slider has come on this year.  Not overpowering (low 90's)

[EasTexAstro]

Round 6, Pick 166 Brock Dykxhoorn RHP Central Arizona College 6'8" 240 (Junior College 2)

From Canada

fastball, change up, slider has come on this year.  Not overpowering (low 90's)

I swear Fredia spelled his last name.

Big guy.

[Duman]

Pronounced Dikes-Horn

[Duman]

Round 7 - pick 196
Derick Velazquez RHP Jr Fresno State
6'4 200

94 MPH Fastball with lots of life

[Mr. Happy]

Who's a must-have such that we would pay over slot for?

[das]

Round 7 - pick 196
Derick Velazquez RHP Jr Fresno State
6'4 200

94 MPH Fastball with lots of life

Bulldogs!  I went to undergrad there. Great place to watch good college ball and drink beer.

[Duman]

Who's a must-have such that we would pay over slot for?

I would think Nix maybe but that is the only one I really see

[VirtualBob]

Bulldogs!  I went to undergrad there. Great place to watch good college ball and drink beer.

I get part of that, but is there really a bad place to drink beer?

[das]

I get part of that, but is there really a bad place to drink beer?

Off the bare belly of a herpes-riddled transvestite prostitute?

Edited to add: apologies to the OWA tranny population. Nothing against your lifestyle, you're just not my thing...

[astrosfan76]

Round 8 - Bobby Boyd CF West Virginia University

Smaller CF (5'9" 180).  Bats left, throws right. Hit .353 this season, with a .389 OBP and .423 SLG%. 18-20 in steals. Struck out 25 times in 222 AB, walking 10 times.

Round 9 - Bryan Radziewski  LHP University of Miami (FL)

First college senior picked by the club in this year's draft, or so says MLB's draft tracker. Looking at Miami's website, he had season-ending surgery after 5 starts as a sophomore in '12 and pitched in '13 as a redshirt sophomore. 5'10" 190 was a preseason 2nd-team All-American in '13 and '14 by Louisville Slugger. Was drafted by the Cardinals in '13. Went 8-2 with a 2.86 ERA this season, striking out 111 in 100 2/3 IP, walking 49.

This season, Radziewski has increased his velocity from 88 to 91-92 mph, raising his draft status after putting on ten pounds to his once 5'10/195 frame. His 77-81 mph slurve is still an above average pitch that he commands well for punch outs, while his 80-81 mph changeup is still a bit of a work in progress. Tag that along with his two-seamer, slider, and cutter, and you can see why he's excelled this season: currently fifth in the ACC in strikeouts (61 K's).

http://www.stateoftheu.com/2014/4/19/5631376/2014-mlb-draft-preview-miami-hurricanes-baseball-scouting-report-hs-prep-recruits-UM

[Reuben]

Round 10 - Dean Deetz, RHP from Northeastern Oklahoma A&M (OK)

mlb.com's scouting report says:

   6'1" 190lbs DOB: 11/29/93 | Scouting video
The two best arms in Oklahoma this year belong to a pair of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M JC right-handers, Deetz and Jake Jewell. A redshirt freshman, Deetz isn't as refined as Jewell and missed all of 2013 recovering from Tommy John after his final season of high school, but he has better breaking stuff and a chance to make it as a starter.Deetz showed an 89-90 mph fastball and a promising slider in the fall, and his velocity has exploded this spring. He has worked at 92-94 mph and peaked at 98, and his slider has climbed into the mid-80s. He also throws an effective curveball, but his changeup will need a lot of work. Deetz has an exceptionally quick arm but is still learning to harness it. He has trouble throwing strikes and locating his pitches on a consistent basis. He's a good athlete who was a star running back at Nixa (Mo.) High, so there's hope he'll be able to figure it out.

[Navin R Johnson]

n today's #MLBDraft, #Astros select: 11th: RHP Dean Deetz (NE Oklahoma A&M) 12th: OF Ryan Bottger (UTA) 13th: C Jamie Ritchie (Belmont)

[astrosfan76]

Astros agree to terms with Boyd and 10th-rounder Jay Gause. Gause, a 6'5" 250 RHP out of Faulkner University in Alanama, pitched in the rotation and out of the pen this season, so he should be ready for the tandem. He had a 2.87 ERA with 87 Ks and 24 walks in 58 innings this season. Both will be headed to Tri-City next week.

[Reuben]

Any mention anywhere of the $ Aiken's camp might have agreed to? I seem to recall Correa's figure came to light pretty quickly in 2012.

[Reuben]

Astros take a tough-sign highly-ranked HS pitcher in Rd 21:

Rank: 57    Mac Marshall    LHP    Parkview HS, Lilburn, Ga.    


Scouting Report:

Marshall comes from a powerhouse program that won the 2012 national high school championship and consistently has produced draft talent, including 2012 supplemental first-rounder Matt Olson and 2013 supplemental first-rounder Josh Hart. The loose, athletic Marshall could continue that streak. After touching 94 mph on the showcase circuit and sitting in the low 90s at some events, he has played at 87-90, touching 92 this spring. Marshall has advanced feel and ability to manipulate two secondary pitches that show at least above-average potential. His changeup is a plus offering with tremendous tumble. He shows the ability to vary the shape of his curveball, shows a good feel for pitching and projects to have at least average control. Marshall throws from a high three-quarters arm slot and can get downhill plane, but his fastball tends to be flatter and he tends to work up toward the higher end of his velocity range, making him more of a flyball-oriented pitcher at the pro level. Marshall has an athletic build but limited physical projection. Both of his parents attended Georgia, but he changed his commitment from the school to sign with Louisiana State.

[Reuben]

Through 28 rounds, the Astros have drafted only 4 high school players: Aiken, Nix (5), C Ruben Castro (19), and Marshall (21). They have taken 4 or 5 JuCo guys as well, but very college-heavy. I wonder if that's partly because they anticipate having a lot of kids graduating from the DSL team to the Rookie ball level in the US. They certainly have a good opportunity to add some high-ceiling 16/17 yr-old talent during this year's International signing period.

[Reuben]

Callis has tweeted that Aiken and Astros have agreed on a $6.5m bonus, which would leave them an extra $1.4m to spend elsewhere.

[Mr. Happy]

Callis has tweeted that Aiken and Astros have agreed on a $6.5m bonus, which would leave them an extra $1.4m to spend elsewhere.

I just can't figure out where to spend that money.

[astrosfan76]

I just can't figure out where to spend that money.

If they're going to pry Mac Marshall away LSU, they may need all of it.

[Reuben]

I just can't figure out where to spend that money.

If they're going to pry Mac Marshall away LSU, they may need all of it.

Exactly. Marshall (rd 21) and maybe to a lesser extent Nix (rd 5) are the obvious tough-sign guys.

[astrosfan76]

A couple of notes:

17th-rounder Ben Smith, LHP out of Coastal Carolina, had TJ surgery in April.

Velazquez is somewhat raw and started the year in the pen before pitching his way into the rotation. He can be unhittable when he's on.

Dykxhoorn has agreed to a bonus, minus education package. Being a Canuck, he will need a work visa.

[Mr. Happy]

Exactly. Marshall (rd 21) and maybe to a lesser extent Nix (rd 5) are the obvious tough-sign guys.

My question is do you spend your money there? Do they look as good as, for example, Lance McCullers, Jr. or Rio Ruiz?

[astrosfan76]

My question is do you spend your money there? Do they look as good as, for example, Lance McCullers, Jr. or Rio Ruiz?

He has lower upside, but more polish than McCullers at the same stage. Ruiz has been a good player, but he also missed most of his senior season after having a blood clot removed from his neck. Is he worth what McCullers received? Probably not. Is he as valuable as Ruiz? Possibly. But, he may not get as much, any way. For comparison's sake, McCullers received $2.35M, Ruiz $1.85M. So, if they save $1.4M on Aiken and go slot the rest of the way, they would only be able to offer $1.5M to Marshall (unless they were willing to go slightly over their pool).

The question also becomes "If they don't use the savings on those two, where do they use it?" They can't carry it over to next year's draft or the international pool, so it's use it now or lose it. You could make the argument that they could move that money around to another area in the budget, but I don't think that is their intention.

[juliogotay]

Did anyone hear Luhnow on the pre-show talking about the draft? I was trying to listen and the wife was talking to me and I did not hear who he was talking about when he said he thought _______ could be in a Houston uniform next year. I think he was talking about the pitcher from A&M.

[Navin R Johnson]

Just listened to a replay of it.  He said Mengden would take this summer off didn't hear anything about him or anyone else being up next year.

UCLA kid, Nix, will be a tough sign, but feel confident they will get it done.

[OregonStrosFan]

I'll update the list over the next couple of days, but in the interim (per Berman, via Twitter):

Mark Berman ‏@MarkBermanFox26  
Astros 9th-round pick LHP Bryan Radziewski(UMiami)says he's reached a deal w/Astros:"I can't wait 2start this new chapter N my life" (more)

Mark Berman ‏@MarkBermanFox26
Radziewski's teammate at Miami, 2B Alex Hernadez, taken in the 40th round, says he has also agreed with the Astros

Mark Berman @MarkBermanFox26  ·  Jun 7
Astros 10th-round pick RHP Jay Gause from Faulkner Univ. in Alabama says he's agreed to terms: "I've been waiting on this day 4 a long time"

Mark Berman @MarkBermanFox26  ·  Jun 7
Astros 8th-round pick, Bobby Boyd, West Virginia Univ. CF, says he's agreed to terms, will sign today. "It's a dream come true."

[NeilT]

I'll update the list over the next couple of days, but in the interim (per Berman, via Twitter):

Mark Berman ‏@MarkBermanFox26  
Astros 9th-round pick LHP Bryan Radziewski(UMiami)says he's reached a deal w/Astros:"I can't wait 2start this new chapter N my life" (more)

Mark Berman ‏@MarkBermanFox26
Radziewski's teammate at Miami, 2B Alex Hernadez, taken in the 40th round, says he has also agreed with the Astros

Mark Berman @MarkBermanFox26  ·  Jun 7
Astros 10th-round pick RHP Jay Gause from Faulkner Univ. in Alabama says he's agreed to terms: "I've been waiting on this day 4 a long time"

Mark Berman @MarkBermanFox26  ·  Jun 7
Astros 8th-round pick, Bobby Boyd, West Virginia Univ. CF, says he's agreed to terms, will sign today. "It's a dream come true."

its 2 gud 2 be tru. 

[Duman]

30th rounder McMullen signed and is slated for Gville

Article says this:

There’s no quibbling over contract figures, either.

“It doesn’t at all have any disappointment,” McMullen said. “I’ve kind of been the underdog in baseball my whole life. I’m just excited to get this going.”

It also talks about the other LSU connected draftee:

On Saturday, highly touted lefty Mac Marshall pulled into Baton Rouge to move into a dorm ahead of summer school, and the fact the Houston Astros tabbed him in the 21st round with the No. 616 pick may keep him there.

“I’ll be down moving in this afternoon,” Marshall said during the final leg of Saturday’s drive.

[OregonStrosFan]

Exactly. Marshall (rd 21) and maybe to a lesser extent Nix (rd 5) are the obvious tough-sign guys.

Marshall is saying that he won't be signing... (thanks a lot Mr. Happy...)

Marshall via Twitter (H/T Tyler Stafford @JeffBlogwell): LINK

Started at Parkview and continuing at LSU, I will be wearing #14!

[astrosfan76]

Marshall is saying that he won't be signing... (thanks a lot Mr. Happy...)

Marshall via Twitter (H/T Tyler Stafford @JeffBlogwell): LINK

Started at Parkview and continuing at LSU, I will be wearing #14!

Well, he wouldn't be the first kid to show up on campus and sign before setting foot in class. I guess it was more common when the signing date was later, but it's still feasible that this plays out the same way. May not, but, it may.

[OregonStrosFan]

More from Berman (via Twitter):

3rd rd pick JD Davis signed:

The Astros reach agreement with 3rd-round pick J.D. Davis, infielder from Cal State-Fullerton. "It's awesome. I can't wait to get out there"

2nd rd pick AJ Reed signed:

Mark Berman ‏@MarkBermanFox26  3m
Slugger A.J. Reed (6-4, 240), 2nd-round pick from Univ. of Kentucky, says he's reached a deal w/the #Astros. Says he'll sign Wed. in Houston

Mark Berman @MarkBermanFox26  ·  2m
2nd-round pick A.J. Reed has deal w/ #Astros:"I'm excited.I never had any intention of not signing. It's just a big step in a long journey"

Mark Berman @MarkBermanFox26  ·  1m
2nd-round pick A.J. Reed (6-4,240) has deal w/ #Astros. Led nation in home runs (23), slugging % (.735).  Collegiate Baseball's National POY

[hostros7]

@brianmctaggart: That's that. RT @macmarshall19 I will be playing at LSU this year, but I'd like to thank @astros for drafting me ...

[Reuben]

The last two years they've taken extra tough-sign HS kids after the 10th round, presumably so they would have leverage and/or options if they couldn't reach a deal with their top choice(s). But I'm not sure who else besides Marshall falls into that category this year.

Last year they ended up having quite a bit of money left over from their pool ($1m or so?). I'd hate to see that happen again... seems like someone badly misjudged their chances of signing Marshall.

[morningwood75]

The last two years they've taken extra tough-sign HS kids after the 10th round, presumably so they would have leverage and/or options if they couldn't reach a deal with their top choice(s). But I'm not sure who else besides Marshall falls into that category this year.

Last year they ended up having quite a bit of money left over from their pool ($1m or so?). I'd hate to see that happen again... seems like someone badly misjudged their chances of signing Marshall.

Marshall was a pipedream from the start. Most quality hs kids drafted in that range under the current draft rules don't sign. If the Astros thought he was a near lock to sign they would have taken him a lot higher. They knew they'd be able to sign Nix with a million or so partly due to him being very close with Aiken so they took him in the top ten rounds. The reason they had a good amount of money left last year was due to the fact that they thought Manaea would fall to their second pick but the Royals surprised everyone by taking Dozier at 8 and then popped Manaea in the 30's before the Astros' second rounder. Then they only had to go a bit overslot to get German and Nottingham while Nicely only demanded 600 k. German was the only "tough" sign that they took after the top ten rounds and they took him in round 11. 2012 was when they took real tough-sign guys after the top ten rounds like Hinojosa, Traver, and Virant in case something went wrong with the Ruiz or McCullers negotiations.

[juliogotay]

Good info. Thanks.

[astrosfan76]

AJ Reed takes home BA's College Player of the Year award, with quotes from several SEC coaches:

He’s got a good way about him. He’s got great presence. The skill is obviously seeable, how valuable he is to Gary and those kids. It would be understated if you said anything. So I think he has to be seen as one of those guys who could be the Player of the Year in a lot of people’s eyes.”

Tim Corbin, Vanderbilt

http://www.baseballamerica.com/college/college-player-of-the-year-kentuckys-reed-starred-at-plate-on-mound/

[Duman]

7TH Rounder Velazquez signs and is heading towards Tri-City

[pots]

The reason they had a good amount of money left last year was due to the fact that they thought Manaea would fall to their second pick but the Royals surprised everyone by taking Dozier at 8 and then popped Manaea in the 30's before the Astros' second rounder.

They took the second most expensive player at 1-1 with Bryant being only slightly more expensive.  So no matter who they picked at 1-1 they were going to have about the same amount of money left in their pool.  So it's not like they tried to have extra cash.  And since Manaea was picked before the Astros second pick, they had plenty of time to draft a tougher sign.  Your logic for "The reason they had a good amount of money left last year" seems flawed.  And I read nothing that said they were expecting Manaea.  Maybe they were hoping he or someone else would be there.

[morningwood75]

They took the second most expensive player at 1-1 with Bryant being only slightly more expensive.  So no matter who they picked at 1-1 they were going to have about the same amount of money left in their pool.  So it's not like they tried to have extra cash.  And since Manaea was picked before the Astros second pick, they had plenty of time to draft a tougher sign.  Your logic for "The reason they had a good amount of money left last year" seems flawed.  And I read nothing that said they were expecting Manaea.  Maybe they were hoping he or someone else would be there.

Bryant would have wanted closer to the full slot amount at 1-1. He held out until near the signing deadline in order to get 6.7 million from the Cubs which was the full amount assigned for pick 1-2 (6,708,400 to be exact). Appel was an easier and cheaper sign due to him being a senior and a hometown guy. Why not take Appel when he's seen as an equal talent to Bryant, is from Houston, and also would give them more leftover cash to work with on a guy like Manaea? Manaea wanted over 3 million. Manaea was one of the only big-time tough-sign guys that they saw in the draft and they wanted him at 2-1.

http://jimcallis.mlblogs.com/2014/04/29/mike-elias-talks-about-the-astros-no-1-pick/

“Our assessment of the Draft class last year was that we didn’t feel like it was particularly deep. There weren’t obvious high school players with strong college commitments or who got hurt during the season or had a big [bonus] number. We had hard time seeing who those players were. The year before, we had a list and Lance and Rio were on it. We do have a feel for it and try to take that into account. Last year, [Sean] Manaea was the the big one and we were poised to consider him with our second pick but the Royals took him.

[Duman]

Astros County is doing a great job of keeping a running list of each player and news about their status. 

[pots]

Bryant would have wanted closer to the full slot amount at 1-1. He held out until near the signing deadline in order to get 6.7 million from the Cubs which was the full amount assigned for pick 1-2 (6,708,400 to be exact). Appel was an easier and cheaper sign due to him being a senior and a hometown guy. Why not take Appel when he's seen as an equal talent to Bryant, is from Houston, and also would give them more leftover cash to work with on a guy like Manaea? Manaea wanted over 3 million. Manaea was one of the only big-time tough-sign guys that they saw in the draft and they wanted him at 2-1.

http://jimcallis.mlblogs.com/2014/04/29/mike-elias-talks-about-the-astros-no-1-pick/

“Our assessment of the Draft class last year was that we didn’t feel like it was particularly deep. There weren’t obvious high school players with strong college commitments or who got hurt during the season or had a big [bonus] number. We had hard time seeing who those players were. The year before, we had a list and Lance and Rio were on it. We do have a feel for it and try to take that into account. Last year, [Sean] Manaea was the the big one and we were poised to consider him with our second pick but the Royals took him.

The point is they took Appel not for the money but they thought he was BPA.  I have not read anything different.  Manaea was one of the few players they were hoping they could catch in the 2nd round because they had extra cash.  They had extra money because they felt there was no one to spend it on due to a weak draft class, not because of a failed expectation.

[VirtualBob]

Astros County is doing a great job of keeping a running list of each player and news about their status. 

Thanks for posting that.

[Duman]

For those of you who twitter

Mike Elias @MEliasBaseball
Follow
I'll be answering draft Q's at Noon CST! Send yours to @astros #AstrosDraftChat

[Mike S.]

Astros County is doing a great job of keeping a running list of each player and news about their status. 

According to their list, Marshall won't be signing with the Astros as he's attended his first class at LSU.  So, there's that.

[morningwood75]

The point is they took Appel not for the money but they thought he was BPA.  I have not read anything different.  Manaea was one of the few players they were hoping they could catch in the 2nd round because they had extra cash.  They had extra money because they felt there was no one to spend it on due to a weak draft class, not because of a failed expectation.

Gray's stock went down after his positive test which left Appel and Bryant as the top two. They were both on very equal footing so at that point other factors came into play. This included money because Bryant wanted much closer to 7.8 million than Appel and had more leverage due to being a junior. Elias said Appel being a hometown boy even came into play. Appel leaving a decent amount of money from the 1-1 pool would ensure that they could take their top target at 2-1 which was Manaea. The Royals beat them to the punch. Then they tried to get hs rhp Wil Crowe for over one million later in the top ten rounds but he wouldn't budge off of 1.8 or so. That left them on plan c which left a lot of money unspent.

[Duman]

For those of you who twitter

Here is the full twitter chat on the draft with Elias.

[Mr. Happy]

Here is the full twitter chat on the draft with Elias.

Thanks, D!!! Interesting read.

[OregonStrosFan]

Astros County is doing a great job of keeping a running list of each player and news about their status. 

Yup. Sorry about my slacking... Between a months worth of depos, and other stuff I've been pretty slammed...

[Nate Colbert]

I don't see any comments on the Astros County list (formally or informally) but the following guys have indeed signed:

#12 OF Ryan Bottger: he's been assigned to the V-Cats, see the roster.

#18 Tony (Antonio) Nunez: confirmed on his twitter account (@nunezlife03). Based on his latest tweet, it looks like a Greeneville assignment is in the offing.

#22 1B Bryan Muniz: confirmed on his twitter account (@be_muniz10). I'm guessing a Greeneville assignment.

[Mr. Happy]

Yup. Sorry about my slacking... Between a months worth of depos, and other stuff I've been pretty slammed...

Good for you, counselor!!! Now if we can just get those clients to pay!!!

[Mr. Happy]

Any word on the progress, if any, on signing Aiken?

[Nate Colbert]

Any word on the progress, if any, on signing Aiken?

I'm a bit amused as BA's draft database says he's been signed, sealed and delivered.

(All signed players are in bold.)

[Nate Colbert]

First NDFA signing (h/t Astros County):

Astros sign NNU pitcher

[Nate Colbert]

Jim Callis ‏@jimcallisMLB  4h

14th-rder Nick Tanielu signs w/@Astros for $200k ($100k counts vs pool). Washington State, gifted hitter, will move to 2B as pro.

$$$ amount is what's new here, of course.

[Reuben]

Any word on the progress, if any, on signing Aiken?

I assume you saw that he and the Astros have agreed on a $6.5m bonus... seems like it'll be official fairly soon, and without any trouble.

[Mr. Happy]

I assume you saw that he and the Astros have agreed on a $6.5m bonus... seems like it'll be official fairly soon, and without any trouble.

I did see that. However, I never rest until the name is signed on the dotted line.

[jbm]

Maybe they just don't want to announce the value in order to keep the agents of later round picks in the dark about their surplus.

[Mr. Happy]

Maybe they just don't want to announce the value in order to keep the agents of later round picks in the dark about their surplus.

But they did announce a total.

[jbm]

Oh.  Nevermind.

[Nate Colbert]

Another player who's signed that's not currently shown as such on the Astros County list:

#33 OF Edwin Medina: as reported on the St. Thomas University website.

[Nate Colbert]

FWIW, this was tweeted out several days ago (h/t ClutchFans):

Tyler Stafford @JeffBlogwell

Source: Astros and 4th round pick TAMU RHP Daniel Mengden have reached an agreement. Mengden will sign his contract June 24th at MMP.

[Nate Colbert]

The BA database also shows the following guys as having signed though I haven't seen anything to corroborate these:

#15 3B Connor Goedert

#31 1B Dex McCall

#37 RHP Eric Peterson: Pat Peterson, Eric's twin brother who was a 23rd-round pick of the Mariners, is also listed as having signed and has been confirmed by this. Given that the brothers went to Temple together and subsequently transferred together to NC State, if one signed it's almost certain the other did as well.

[Nate Colbert]

Another signing:

#20 Trent Woodward: just tweeted it out today with Greeneville apparently his destination.

[Nate Colbert]

So, the unsigned* as of now:

#1.5 OF Derek Fisher: the junior is playing in the CWS for Virginia.

#5 RHP Jacob Nix: some have said he's agreed to a $1MM contract but I haven't seen anything believable on this thus far.

#19 C Ruben Castro: no news is...no news. Probably will know in a few days when he shows up (or doesn't) on a Greeneville or GCL roster.

#21 LHP Mac Marshall: nothing more to add on the reams already written about this guy.

#29 C Richard Gonzalez: previous signs pointed to him going pro but waiting on something more definitive to cross him off the unsigned list. Again, should know in a few days when the remaining short-season rosters are posted.

#32 RHP Robert Kahana: no definitive news as far as I can tell regarding the KU junior from Hawaii though earlier reports suggested (to me, anyway) that he would sign.

#34 RHP Josh James: no indications on the one-time Virgin Islander and JUCO sophomore (teammate at Western Oklahoma with Tony Nunez, who has signed).

#38 2B/RHP Michael Foster: don't know why the redshirt sophomore from Northeastern U would sign unless the Astros were prepared to do an over-slot deal. Not giving out a whole lot of clues on his twitter account (@Fosterth3People). Currently playing for Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in the Cape Cod League where he's off to a .333/.375/.600 start in four games.

#39 SS Brad Antchak: the JUCO shortstop is currently playing for the Leesburg Lightning ("when we strike, you're dead") of the Florida Collegiate Summer League as the Astros supposedly mull whether to sign him.




*Ignoring those whose deals might not be quite finalized at this point (or may be finalized but for various reasons other factors have come into play to delay announcement) including Aiken, Mengden, Dykxhoorn, and Smith. Also put Aaron Greenwood in this category as well even though he's still playing for Ole Miss in the CWS because as a college senior he'll have no alternative but to sign once his collegiate career ends some time in the next week.

[Bench]

Off the bare belly of a herpes-riddled transvestite prostitute?

Edited to add: apologies to the OWA tranny population. Nothing against your lifestyle, you're just not my thing...

You leave Desiree out of this!

[Nate Colbert]

Another signing:

#5 RHP Jacob Nix

Brian McTaggart ‏@brianmctaggart  17m
5th-rd. pick RHP Jacob Nix, who was considered to be a tough signing based on commitment to UCLA, says he's reached agreement with Astros.

Jim Callis ‏@jimcallisMLB 
5th-rder Jacob Nix agrees w/@Astros on $1.5 mil (pick 136 value = $370,500). Calif HS RHP inconsistent as senior but also up to 96 @MLBDraft

[astrosfan76]

Another signing:

#5 RHP Jacob Nix

Kid got paid

@jimcallisMLB: 5th-rder Jacob Nix agrees w/@Astros on $1.5 mil (pick 136 value = $370,500). Calif HS RHP inconsistent as senior but also up to 96 @MLBDraft

[Nate Colbert]

Another signing confirmed:

#34 RHP Josh James: he's been assigned to Greeneville per the roster posted this morning by Duman.


So the list of unsigned* is now (with my earlier comments):

#1.5 OF Derek Fisher: the junior is playing in the CWS for Virginia.

#19 C Ruben Castro: no news is...no news. Probably will know in a few days when he shows up (or doesn't) on a Greeneville or GCL roster.

#21 LHP Mac Marshall: nothing more to add on the reams already written about this guy.

#29 C Richard Gonzalez: previous signs pointed to him going pro but waiting on something more definitive to cross him off the unsigned list. Again, should know in a few days when the remaining short-season rosters are posted.

#32 RHP Robert Kahana: no definitive news as far as I can tell regarding the KU junior from Hawaii though earlier reports suggested (to me, anyway) that he would sign.

#38 2B/RHP Michael Foster: don't know why the redshirt sophomore from Northeastern U would sign unless the Astros were prepared to do an over-slot deal. Not giving out a whole lot of clues on his twitter account (@Fosterth3People). Currently playing for Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in the Cape Cod League where he's off to a .333/.375/.600 start in four games.

#39 SS Brad Antchak: the JUCO shortstop is currently playing for the Leesburg Lightning ("when we strike, you're dead") of the Florida Collegiate Summer League as the Astros supposedly mull whether to sign him.

*Again excluding Aiken, Mengden, Smith and Greenwood who are all expected to formally sign soon.

[Nate Colbert]

Again from the Greeneville roster posted by Duman this morning we know now of a second UDFA signing:

UDFA IF Dayne Parker

College senior from Wichita State who hit .300/.401/.444 this past season. His Shocker bio is here.

[Duman]

Again from the Greeneville roster posted by Duman this morning we know now of a second UDFA signing:

UDFA IF Dayne Parker

College senior from Wichita State who hit .300/.401/.444 this past season. His Shocker bio is here.

He became a favorite for our family last night.  The team served BBQ at the meet and greet.  There was an older gentleman with a cane going down some steps with a plate full of food.  Dayne saw that and took action.  He asked the man if he could help and walked with the man to his seat.  He stayed and talked to him for some time.  Impressive young man.  His mama would be proud.

[Nate Colbert]

Another signing of the undrafted variety:

NDFA LHP Kyle Gehrs

Gehrs was a senior at Central Missouri (Jim Crane's alma mater) this past season after transferring from Oklahoma State.  Listed at 5'9", had a 3.84 ERA with 71 K's (and 27 walks) in 63 IP for the Mules in 2014 after posting a 1.26 ERA in limited action for OSU in 2013.

Gehrs has been assigned to the GCL Astros.

[Nate Colbert]

Two more draft pick signings:

#19 C Ruben Castro

#29 C Richard Gonzalez

Both are on the GCL Astros roster.

[Nate Colbert]

With Aiken, Mengden and Greenwood expected to sign there are only five remaining unsigned players at this point (again with my earlier comments):

#1.5 OF Derek Fisher: the junior is playing in the CWS for Virginia.

#21 LHP Mac Marshall: nothing more to add on the reams already written about this guy.

#32 RHP Robert Kahana: no definitive news as far as I can tell regarding the KU junior from Hawaii though earlier reports suggested (to me, anyway) that he would sign.

#38 2B/RHP Michael Foster: don't know why the redshirt sophomore from Northeastern U would sign unless the Astros were prepared to do an over-slot deal. Not giving out a whole lot of clues on his twitter account (@Fosterth3People). Currently playing for Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox in the Cape Cod League where he's off to a .333/.375/.600 start in four games.

#39 SS Brad Antchak: the JUCO shortstop is currently playing for the Leesburg Lightning ("when we strike, you're dead") of the Florida Collegiate Summer League as the Astros supposedly mull whether to sign him.

[Nate Colbert]

McTaggart today:

The Astros have signed 28 of their 40 selections from the 2014 MLB Draft.

Wrong. First it's 41 selections, not 40. Second, guys who've signed but haven't been reported by him include current Tri-City players Ryan Bottger, Jamie Ritchie, Nick Tanielu and Alex Hernandez as well as current GCL player Ben Smith (albeit on the DL).

28 plus those 5 players unreported by him adds up to 33 players signed. That leaves 8 unsigned ("expected to signs" Aiken, Mentgen and Greenwood plus "unknowns/doubtfuls/no chance in hells" Fisher, Marshall, Kahana, Foster and Antchak).

[VirtualBob]

McTaggart today:

The Astros have signed 28 of their 40 selections from the 2014 MLB Draft.

Wrong. First it's 41 selections, not 40. Second, guys who've signed but haven't been reported by him include current Tri-City players Ryan Bottger, Jamie Ritchie, Nick Tanielu and Alex Hernandez as well as current GCL player Ben Smith (albeit on the DL).

28 plus those 5 players unreported by him adds up to 33 players signed. That leaves 8 unsigned ("expected to signs" Aiken, Mentgen and Greenwood plus "unknowns/doubtfuls/no chance in hells" Fisher, Marshall, Kahana, Foster and Antchak).

Another McBraggart fail ... is anyone still counting?  Can anyone count that high?  Does anyone actually care anymore?

[Nate Colbert]

Another signing (h/t WTHB):

#32 Robert Kahana: assigned to Greeneville.

[Duman]

Thanks to a tweet by Tanner Mathis, we learn the Astros have signed his former Ole Miss teammate John Gatlin.  He had a big hit in the college world series but not much else on his resume.

[astrosfan76]

Multiple sources, including the player himself, confirming that Aiken is in Houston to finalize his contract.

[Mike S.]

Multiple sources, including the player himself, confirming that Aiken is in Houston to finalize his contract.

That is great news.

[Nate Colbert]

#28 RHP Aaron Greenwood: the Ole Miss pitcher fresh off the CWS has signed and based on his tweet apparently has been assigned to Greeneville.

[Nate Colbert]

Tyler Stafford ‏@JeffBlogwell  9m
#Astros 4th round draft pick TAMU RHP Daniel Mengden will sign a contract worth $470,000 on Friday. The 106th pick was valued at $494,800.

[Reuben]

Multiple sources, including the player himself, confirming that Aiken is in Houston to finalize his contract.

Anyone else find it a bit odd that Aiken still hasn't done the official sign n' show? Seemed like it would happen Tuesday, or yesterday at the latest... hope there's not some unexpected "issue".

[NeilT]

It seems peculiar.

[Jacksonian]

Mengden deal is officially done.  $470K.

[roadrunner]

It'd be cool if Aiken signed.

[Duman]

I wonder if part of the deal was that 6.5 mil was the bottom they would accept but that if when the signing was done, they would get up to a certain amount of the left over pool if it wasn't spent.  Or if the agent is saying "Hey, you haven't spent all your pool money, how about adding a bit more to the pot."

[Reuben]

Maybe, but then Luhnow and the team wouldn't have made such a big deal about Aiken being in town back on, what, Monday or Tuesday, and implying that his deal would be finalized in a day or two.

[Nate Colbert]

Previously known about Mengden but in case you'd forgotten:

Tyler Stafford ‏@JeffBlogwell  4h
Mengden has a stress fracture in his back that he played most of the 2014 season with which will cause him to miss the next 8-10 weeks.

[Nate Colbert]

The Astros have unofficially signed/agreed to terms with 37 of their 41 draft picks at this point (or 36, if you want to asterisk Aiken). The unsigned list:

• #1.5 OF Derek Fisher: with the CWS over with, Mark Berman tweeted earlier today that Mike Elias is "hopeful" he will have Fisher "under contact soon".
• #21 LHP Mac Marshall: move along, people.
• #38 2B/RHP Michael Foster: currently batting .214/.261/.333 in 14 games in the Cape Cod League.
• #39 SS Brad Antchak: currently hitting .250/.250/.313 in 6 games in the Florida Collegiate League

[astrosfan76]

It'd be cool if Aiken signed.

I'm not too worried. Luhnow has said that he doesn't imagine Aiken pitching much this season, anyway. Judging by HS pitchers drafted by the club in higher rounds, that looks like the club's m.o. McCullers pitched 26 innings in '12 after signing and Nicely pitched in 18 1/3 and German pitched in 9 1/3 in '13. Elias said today that it could happen before the end of the home stand (Wednesday).

[astrosfan76]

Fisher is now on board:

Jim Callis ‏@jimcallisMLB  · 2m ·

More on @Astros & Derek Fisher: Bonus is $1,534,100. Full pick value at 37. Comp balance pick from @Orioles in Bud Norris deal.

[jbm]

Tri City? 

Saw a number of ABs in the CWS.  He seemed to have more of a pound in the ground stroke than either a line drive stroke or stroke with any loft.  He did make a lot of solid contact though, and its not hard to imagine him being a good hitter and adding power with the instruction he will receive. 

[Reuben]

Tri City? 

Saw a number of ABs in the CWS.  He seemed to have more of a pound in the ground stroke than either a line drive stroke or stroke with any loft.  He did make a lot of solid contact though, and its not hard to imagine him being a good hitter and adding power with the instruction he will receive. 

I'm planning to go to a TC game this Sunday. Hopefully Fisher is active by then. That'll be a pretty interesting lineup, with him, Reed, and Davis.

[juliogotay]

Tri City? 

Saw a number of ABs in the CWS.  He seemed to have more of a pound in the ground stroke than either a line drive stroke or stroke with any loft.  He did make a lot of solid contact though, and its not hard to imagine him being a good hitter and adding power with the instruction he will receive. 

Isn't he projected to hit 25 HRs a year or so?

[jbm]

I thought, reading here, that some scouts projected him to have power, but people questioned that if that was the case, then why were his power numbers pedestrian in college.  I don't know if he will eventually have power or not, but presume the power projection is predicated on swing changes he will make once he gets into pro baseball.   Or, maybe I just caught the wrong ABs or don't know what I'm looking at. 

[Jacksonian]

I thought, reading here, that some scouts projected him to have power, but people questioned that if that was the case, then why were his power numbers pedestrian in college.  I don't know if he will eventually have power or not, but presume the power projection is predicated on swing changes he will make once he gets into pro baseball.   Or, maybe I just caught the wrong ABs or don't know what I'm looking at. 

Virginia's ballpark is an offense killer.

[Duman]

Virginia's ballpark is an offense killer.

Plus he had hamate bone surgery during March.  It takes about a year to get all the power back after that one.  

[roadrunner]

What is going on with Aiken?

Bad news comes in 3's: Appel, Correa, ......

[subnuclear]

What is going on with Aiken?

Bad news comes in 3's: Appel, Correa, ......

As I pointed out in the GZ, Luhnow said it was common for 1-1's to take to the deadline (July 18th) to sign and they were working hard on getting it done. He didn't sound like someone covering up a failed physical or something.

He also taked about how Appel was improving and he expected to see him in CC after 2-3 more starts in Lancaster.

[roadrunner]

As I pointed out in the GZ, Luhnow said it was common for 1-1's to take to the deadline (July 18th) to sign and they were working hard on getting it done. He didn't sound like someone covering up a failed physical or something.

He also taked about how Appel was improving and he expected to see him in CC after 2-3 more starts in Lancaster.

Ah ok.  Thanks

[Mr. Happy]

As I pointed out in the GZ, Luhnow said it was common for 1-1's to take to the deadline (July 18th) to sign and they were working hard on getting it done. He didn't sound like someone covering up a failed physical or something.

He also taked about how Appel was improving and he expected to see him in CC after 2-3 more starts in Lancaster.

I think that's right too. However, IIRC, Correa and Appel signed fairly quickly. It's probably about the money as it usually is.

[Bench]

According to a McTaggart McReTweet, Carlos Rodon will be making his AAA debut on Tuesday.

[Navin R Johnson]

And  Mac Marshall just withdrew from LSU today... supposed to be going JUCO now.

[astrosfan76]

And  Mac Marshall just withdrew from LSU today... supposed to be going JUCO now.

So, he fell in the draft because of his strong commitment to LSU and now drops out a few weeks in? Whatever.

[NeilT]

So, he fell in the draft because of his strong commitment to LSU and now drops out a few weeks in? Whatever.

Maybe he found out that even at LSU they have classes.

[Reuben]

So, he fell in the draft because of his strong commitment to LSU and now drops out a few weeks in? Whatever.

Yeah, it definitely makes you question the integrity of guys like Bickford and Marshall when they bail on their college programs at the last minute. I suppose it's naive of me to expect 18- or 19-year old prospects to have more maturity and integrity and not be completely selfish. I like to think that the Astros have always made character a crucial component of drafting decisions.

[pots]

Yeah, it definitely makes you question the integrity of guys like Bickford and Marshall when they bail on their college programs at the last minute. I suppose it's naive of me to expect 18- or 19-year old prospects to have more maturity and integrity and not be completely selfish. I like to think that the Astros have always made character a crucial component of drafting decisions.

Or perhaps this Selig thing required Marshall not to attend college.

It's likely both Marhsall and Nix's deals were all but inked but weren't signed due solely to the CBA financial restrictions.  If a case can be made that Aiken's signing should of happened but didn't due to circumstances outside the power of the Astros and Aiken then a correction there could logically trickle down to Nix and Marshall. Long shot but given Selig's odd statement something must be going on. 

Now, none of the three high school pitchers from the class of 2014 is in a four-year college. Aiken and Nix have UCLA commitments, and while neither is necessarily expected to play for the Bruins, UCLA’s fall semester doesn’t begin until Oct. 2, so that door is not yet closed.

Seems like this Thursday might be an interesting date. 



 

[Jacksonian]

Or perhaps this Selig thing required Marshall not to attend college.

It's likely both Marhsall and Nix's deals were all but inked but weren't signed due solely to the CBA financial restrictions.  If a case can be made that Aiken's signing should of happened but didn't due to circumstances outside the power of the Astros and Aiken then a correction there could logically trickle down to Nix and Marshall. Long shot but given Selig's odd statement something must be going on.

 

The only one known to have greived is Nix.  Marshall could not have been a part of that nor would he need to be to bail on LSU and go JUCO.

I would think the more likely scenario is that something happened at LSU that we will never know of and/or Marshall saw the $ for what it is and decided waiting 3 years to get it and hoping he didn't get injured wasn't the best plan.

[pots]

The only one known to have greived is Nix.  Marshall could not have been a part of that nor would he need to be to bail on LSU and go JUCO.

I would think the more likely scenario is that something happened at LSU that we will never know of and/or Marshall saw the $ for what it is and decided waiting 3 years to get it and hoping he didn't get injured wasn't the best plan.

What you are saying is likely the scenario, but Selig's comments suggested Aiken's situation and not Nix was in play.   What if Aiken never got the 5 million offer due to circumstances outside of his control?  I've not read anything saying that Aiken turned down the offer.  Only that the Astros got no response.  If Aiken is signed at 5 then the Nix grievance is easily resolved.  But the Astros could also easily argue that the 5 million offer was made with the understanding they would sign Marshall as well.   

[Jacksonian]

What you are saying is likely the scenario, but Selig's comments suggested Aiken's situation and not Nix was in play.   What if Aiken never got the 5 million offer due to circumstances outside of his control?  I've not read anything saying that Aiken turned down the offer.  Only that the Astros got no response.  If Aiken is signed at 5 then the Nix grievance is easily resolved.  But the Astros could also easily argue that the 5 million offer was made with the understanding they would sign Marshall as well.   

Regardless, unless Marshall is part of the grievance he can't be required by MLB to do anything.

[pots]

Regardless, unless Marshall is part of the grievance he can't be required by MLB to do anything.

Of course not, but attending LSU would certainly close the door that may for some odd reason still be open

[Reuben]

Regardless, unless Marshall is part of the grievance he can't be required by MLB to do anything.

"You can't make me take that 2 million dollars, no siree!"

[astrosfan76]

Today's the first day of classes at UCLA, we'll see if there's any definite news on where Aiken/Nix will pitch in the Spring.

[pots]

UCLA Baseball Welcomes 12 New Players for the 2015 Season

The group of 12 players, all natives of California, are right-handers Jake Bird (West Ranch HS), Griffin Canning (Santa Margarita HS), Nathan Hadley (Loyola HS), Matt Trask (Davis HS) and Matt Walker (Clovis North HS), left-hander Garrett Barker (Laguna Hills HS), infielders Sean Bouchard (Cathedral Catholic HS), Zander Clarke (Newbury Park HS), Scott Jarvis (Bellarmine HS) and Nick Valaika (Hart HS) and catchers Daniel Rosica (Fountain Valley HS) and Casey Worden (Saddleback JC).

Interestingly quiet on them not going to UCLA

[astrosfan76]

Yep, sounds pretty official that they aren't going to UCLA, but no one's saying anything else, either.

[pots]

Well, this was retweeted by Nix.  Seems to put to bed any thought of a super late signing:

https://twitter.com/emilyjlorenz/status/526499906132135936

[Reuben]

Well, this was retweeted by Nix.  Seems to put to bed any thought of a super late signing:

https://twitter.com/emilyjlorenz/status/526499906132135936

Nix and possibly Aiken I could see having legitimate beef, but what in the fuck does Mac Marshall have cause to hate the Astros for or be upset about? He was asking for more money than teams thought he was worth, the Astros tried to oblige him but couldn't find the extra cap room. Happens to dozens of kids every single year.

[chuck]

Nix and possibly Aiken I could see having legitimate beef, but what in the fuck does Mac Marshall have cause to hate the Astros for or be upset about? He was asking for more money than teams thought he was worth, the Astros tried to oblige him but couldn't find the extra cap room. Happens to dozens of kids every single year.

Marshall had nothing to do with the tweet or the retweet. So for all you know he loves the Astros and wants passionately to play for them one day.

[Duman]

In order to keep separate pre- and draft/post-draft threads, the '2014 Draftees and Status' thread is now open (conversely, the '2014 Draft thread’ is now closed)...

The chart below will be updated to add draft results and signing status until the close of signings (note: the signing deadline for 2014 Rule 4 drafted players is 5 p.m. ET on July 18, 2014).

2014 Houston Astros Draft – Draftee Signing Status and ‘Bonus Pool’ Implications

Draftee

Rd/Pick            (1) 1  (Comp A) 37           (2) 42           (3) 75         (4) 106         (5) 136         (6) 166         (7) 196         ( 226         (9) 256       (10) 286       (11) 316       (12) 346       (13) 376       (14) 406       (15) 436       (16) 466       (17) 496       (18) 526       (19) 556       (20) 586       (21) 616       (22) 646       (23) 676       (24) 706       (25) 736       (26) 766       (27) 796       (28) 826       (29) 856       (30) 886       (31) 916       (32) 946       (33) 976     (34) 1006     (35) 1036     (36) 1066     (37) 1096     (38) 1126     (39) 1156     (40) 1186

Signed

$ Allotment $7,922,100 $1,534.100 $1,530,000    $748,600    $494,800    $370,500    $277,400    $207,800    $162,800    $152,000    $142,100 [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000] [<$100,000]

Signed for         --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --            --          --            --            --            --            --            --         --         --         --         --         --         --         --         --

Over/      [Under]              --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --               --                 --                 --                 --                 --                 --              --              --              --              --              --              --              --              --

POS

Class

DOB

2014 Houston Astros Draft – Draft Results

Draftee

Rd/Pick             (1) 1   (Comp A) 37           (2) 42           (3) 75          (4) 106         (5) 136         (6) 166         (7) 196         ( 226         (9) 256       (10) 286       (11) 316       (12) 346       (13) 376       (14) 406       (15) 436       (16) 466       (17) 496       (18) 526       (19) 556       (20) 586       (21) 616       (22) 646       (23) 676       (24) 706       (25) 736       (26) 766       (27) 796       (28) 826       (29) 856       (30) 886       (31) 916       (32) 946       (33) 976     (34) 1006     (35) 1036     (36) 1066     (37) 1096     (38) 1126     (39) 1156     (40) 1186

POS

School

Class

B/T

Ht/Wt

DOB

[Reuben]

Marshall had nothing to do with the tweet or the retweet. So for all you know he loves the Astros and wants passionately to play for them one day.

True. Maybe he even has a big Jeff Luhnow poster on his bedroom wall.

[Nate Colbert]

Published signing bonuses for each of the top 10 round guys is of course commonplace. In addition, often you'll see signing bonuses disclosed for later rounds if they exceed that $100K threshold where it starts counting against your pool amount. But I don't recall ever seeing published bonus info for each and every draft pick. But Drellich has it here.

That 14th-round pick Nick Tanielu signed for $200K (and thus $100K counted against the bonus pool) was previously known. However, I could be mistaken but I believe this is the first we've known that 15th-rounder Connor Goedert also signed for $200K.

And just in case if you weren't aware, all those thousand bucks bonus guys? Later round college seniors.