The 2008 Draft Signings Thread

[Outshined_One]

Signed Picks:

 

Round 1, Pick 19: RHP Andrew Cashner, Texas Christian - $1.54 million bonus

Comp A, Pick 41: SS Ryan Flaherty, Vanderbilt - $906,000 bonus

Round 2, Pick 65: RHP Aaron Shafer, Wichita State $625,000 bonus

Round 3, Pick 97: RHP Chris Carpenter, Kent State - $385,000 bonus

Round 4, Pick 131: SS/C Matt Cerda, Oceanside HS (Oceanside, CA) - $500,000 bonus

Round 5, Pick 161: RHP Justin Bristow, East Carolina - $172,000 bonus

Round 6, Pick 191: 2B Josh Harrison, Cincinnati - $144,500 bonus

Round 7, Pick 221: C Luis Flores, Oklahoma State - $132,000 bonus

Round 8, Pick 251: LHP James Leverton, Texas Tech - $92,500 bonus

Round 9, Pick 281: RHP Randy "Jay" Jackson, Furman - $90,000 bonus

Round 11, Pick 341: RHP Toby Matchulat, Wabash Valley College (IL)

Round 12, Pick 371: 2B Jake Opitz, Nebraska

Round 13, Pick 401: OF Tony Campana, Cincinnati

Round 14, Pick 431: RHP Dan McDaniel, Chabot College (CA) - $100,000 bonus

Round 15, Pick 461: RHP Casey Coleman, Florida Gulf Coast

Round 16, Pick 491: 1B Ryan Keedy, Alabama-Birmingham

Round 17, Pick 521: RHP Jonathan Nagel, Independence CC (KS)

Round 18, Pick 551: LHP Jeff Belliveau, Florida Atlantic

Round 19, Pick 581: OF David Macias, Vanderbilt

Round 20, Pick 611: OF Jericho Jones, Louisiana Tech

Round 21, Pick 641: SS Logan Watkins, Goddard (KS) HS - $500,000 bonus

Round 22, Pick 671: RHP Tarlandus Mitchell, Alto HS (Alto, TX)

Round 23, Pick 701: OF Ryan Sontag, Arizona State

Round 24, Pick 731: RHP David Cales, St. Xavier (IL)

Round 25, Pick 761: 1B Rebel Ridling, Oklahoma State

Round 26, Pick 791: RHP Josh Whitlock, West Virginia

Round 28, Pick 851: OF TeWayne Willis, Lincoln Memorial (KY)

Round 32, Pick 971: OF Kurt Calvert, Missouri

Round 33, Pick 1001: 1B Sean Hoorelbeke, Central Michigan

Round 34, Pick 1031: RHP James "Bubba" O'Donnell, High Point

Round 36, Pick 1091: C Michael Brenly, UNLV

Round 37, Pick 1121: RHP Erik Hamren, Saddleback CC (CA)

 

Undrafted Free Agent Signings:

 

RHP Eric Allen, King's College: link.

RHP Mike Perconte, Murray State: link.

RHP Tommy Mejia, Dominican College: link.

C Pat Mahoney, UConn link - Mike Mahoney's brother.

 

----------------

 

Use this thread to post all signings, news about various draftees, and players who turn down the Cubs in this thread.

Edited July 4, 2008 by Outshined_One

[sporrer17]

The two people I'd really like to see sign are two of the more questionable ones...obviously Gray is, but Cerda needs to sign. He's got a nice bat, especially as a MIF.

[Guest]

Alex Wilson is interesting, given his injury and redshirt year. He has two years of eligibility to return and he has first round talent which he could flash by actually pitching next season in college. He'll need to be paid well over slot.

 

Heck, it sounds exactly like Chris Huseby from two years ago.

[Wrigley Rat]

Chris Carpenter - He can still go back to Kent State next year, but has said he’ll sign for slot money so expect to see him signed soon.

http://www.anothercubsblog.net/index.php/site/articles/2008_draft_recap/

 

FYI - Luis Flores was listed as the first catcher taken by the Cubs in this year’s draft, but the club has plans to use fourth-round pick Matt Cerda (Oceanside HS, Calif.) as a catcher, Wilken said. Cerda spent his prep career primarily at shortstop.

http://braves.scout.com/a.z?s=248&p=2&c=760440

[CubinNY]

I hope they all sign as soon as possible or tell the Cubs to bugger off.

 

I think not signing early and sitting out the entire summer has hurt Vitters a great deal. No evidence to back this up, but unless evidence is presented to the contrary I'm sticking with my hypothesis.

[Outshined_One]

I think not signing early and sitting out the entire summer has hurt Vitters a great deal. No evidence to back this up, but unless evidence is presented to the contrary I'm sticking with my hypothesis.

 

Stephen Drew and Jered Weaver both waited nearly a year before signing with the Diamondbacks and Angels back when they were drafted. I don't think it's hurt either so far.

[Guest]

I think not signing early and sitting out the entire summer has hurt Vitters a great deal. No evidence to back this up, but unless evidence is presented to the contrary I'm sticking with my hypothesis.

 

Stephen Drew and Jered Weaver both waited nearly a year before signing with the Diamondbacks and Angels back when they were drafted. I don't think it's hurt either so far.

 

Not playing last season didn't hurt Matt Wieters, Rick Porcello or Jarrod Parker. Jason Heyward got fewer PA last year than Vitters.

 

A guy like Alex Wilson won't sign till around 8/15 because a) he wants over slot and b) he'll be in the Cape Cod League so the Cubs will be able to see if his arm has fully recovered and he's worth the big bucks. I'm surprised with Carpenter saying he'll sign for slot. I figure we'll know with Gray nearly right away since he is to start summer school classes at Vandy next month.

[Little Slide Rooter]

What about the Brenly kid?

[sporrer17]

Chris Carpenter - He can still go back to Kent State next year, but has said he’ll sign for slot money so expect to see him signed soon.

http://www.anothercubsblog.net/index.php/site/articles/2008_draft_recap/

 

FYI - Luis Flores was listed as the first catcher taken by the Cubs in this year’s draft, but the club has plans to use fourth-round pick Matt Cerda (Oceanside HS, Calif.) as a catcher, Wilken said. Cerda spent his prep career primarily at shortstop.

http://braves.scout.com/a.z?s=248&p=2&c=760440

 

What are the odds Cerda was actually taken with the intent to move him to catcher?

[Wrigley Rat]

Chris Carpenter - He can still go back to Kent State next year, but has said he’ll sign for slot money so expect to see him signed soon.

http://www.anothercubsblog.net/index.php/site/articles/2008_draft_recap/

 

FYI - Luis Flores was listed as the first catcher taken by the Cubs in this year’s draft, but the club has plans to use fourth-round pick Matt Cerda (Oceanside HS, Calif.) as a catcher, Wilken said. Cerda spent his prep career primarily at shortstop.

http://braves.scout.com/a.z?s=248&p=2&c=760440

 

What are the odds Cerda was actually taken with the intent to move him to catcher?

His high school moved him to catcher this past off-season.

 

With all the second basemen the Cubs drafted, I'm pretty sure they fully intended to at least try him out at catcher when they drafted him. If nothing else, they may just hope he will be able to play catcher, middle infield, and maybe some outfield in the majors. (They seemed to have drafted a lot of "future utility players" in this draft.)

[sporrer17]

Well I understand he's played catcher in the past, so it's probably not a new concept to him, but it still seems weird to see a guy listed as a SS when he's drafted but intended to be played at Catcher *if* he signs.

 

I think it's a little early to start labeling guys as "future utility players".

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Well I understand he's played catcher in the past, so it's probably not a new concept to him, but it still seems weird to see a guy listed as a SS when he's drafted but intended to be played at Catcher *if* he signs.

 

I think it's a little early to start labeling guys as "future utility players".

 

The Cubs worked him out as a catcher, so I think that's what they had in mind when they took him, rather than flexibility as a supersub.

[sporrer17]

I guess it can't hurt, but I'd rather they let him try to stick at SS first...unless he really just doesn't have the arm for that...which wouldn't make sense given that they want him to play C.

[CubinNY]

I think not signing early and sitting out the entire summer has hurt Vitters a great deal. No evidence to back this up, but unless evidence is presented to the contrary I'm sticking with my hypothesis.

 

Stephen Drew and Jered Weaver both waited nearly a year before signing with the Diamondbacks and Angels back when they were drafted. I don't think it's hurt either so far.

 

Wasn't Vitters sick his senior year? He was good, then was sick, then was drafted (with the sickness used to explain his rather pedestrian performance), then sat out an entire summer. That's what I mean.

 

Also Drew, Weaver, Weiters were college players.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I guess it can't hurt, but I'd rather they let him try to stick at SS first...unless he really just doesn't have the arm for that...which wouldn't make sense given that they want him to play C.

 

All the stuff I'd read seemed to indicate he'd be at 2B before long(if not right away). I wouldn't say that not having the arm for SS means he wouldn't have a playable arm at C. They are different throws from very different distances.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

I think not signing early and sitting out the entire summer has hurt Vitters a great deal. No evidence to back this up, but unless evidence is presented to the contrary I'm sticking with my hypothesis.

 

Stephen Drew and Jered Weaver both waited nearly a year before signing with the Diamondbacks and Angels back when they were drafted. I don't think it's hurt either so far.

 

Wasn't Vitters sick his senior year? He was good, then was sick, then was drafted (with the sickness used to explain his rather pedestrian performance), then sat out an entire summer. That's what I mean.

 

Also Drew, Weaver, Weiters were college players.

 

Why does college v. HS matter in that instance? Time not playing is time not playing, regardless of the competition you're coming from.

[CubinNY]

I think not signing early and sitting out the entire summer has hurt Vitters a great deal. No evidence to back this up, but unless evidence is presented to the contrary I'm sticking with my hypothesis.

 

Stephen Drew and Jered Weaver both waited nearly a year before signing with the Diamondbacks and Angels back when they were drafted. I don't think it's hurt either so far.

 

Wasn't Vitters sick his senior year? He was good, then was sick, then was drafted (with the sickness used to explain his rather pedestrian performance), then sat out an entire summer. That's what I mean.

 

Also Drew, Weaver, Weiters were college players.

 

Why does college v. HS matter in that instance? Time not playing is time not playing, regardless of the competition you're coming from.

Physical development (age) and practice, not to mention competition. There is a huge difference between a college junior and a high school senior (however, there are exceptions). To think otherwise is foolish.

 

Anyway, the point is mostly moot as we'll never really know. All things being equal, I'd rather the player not waste a season of development time.

[wvcbxl]

Any bets as to who will be the first signing?

[Guest]

I think not signing early and sitting out the entire summer has hurt Vitters a great deal. No evidence to back this up, but unless evidence is presented to the contrary I'm sticking with my hypothesis.

 

Stephen Drew and Jered Weaver both waited nearly a year before signing with the Diamondbacks and Angels back when they were drafted. I don't think it's hurt either so far.

 

Wasn't Vitters sick his senior year? He was good, then was sick, then was drafted (with the sickness used to explain his rather pedestrian performance), then sat out an entire summer. That's what I mean.

 

Also Drew, Weaver, Weiters were college players.

 

Why does college v. HS matter in that instance? Time not playing is time not playing, regardless of the competition you're coming from.

Physical development (age) and practice, not to mention competition. There is a huge difference between a college junior and a high school senior (however, there are exceptions). To think otherwise is foolish.

 

Anyway, the point is mostly moot as we'll never really know. All things being equal, I'd rather the player not waste a season of development time.

 

Well, they're likely to be facing competition at their level. And you ignored the HS guys I mentioned (Heyward, Parker, Porcello). That doesn't mean that it's a good thing that Vitters meant a couple months of development, just that I don't see the correlation.

[CubinNY]

I think not signing early and sitting out the entire summer has hurt Vitters a great deal. No evidence to back this up, but unless evidence is presented to the contrary I'm sticking with my hypothesis.

 

Stephen Drew and Jered Weaver both waited nearly a year before signing with the Diamondbacks and Angels back when they were drafted. I don't think it's hurt either so far.

 

Wasn't Vitters sick his senior year? He was good, then was sick, then was drafted (with the sickness used to explain his rather pedestrian performance), then sat out an entire summer. That's what I mean.

 

Also Drew, Weaver, Weiters were college players.

 

Why does college v. HS matter in that instance? Time not playing is time not playing, regardless of the competition you're coming from.

Physical development (age) and practice, not to mention competition. There is a huge difference between a college junior and a high school senior (however, there are exceptions). To think otherwise is foolish.

 

Anyway, the point is mostly moot as we'll never really know. All things being equal, I'd rather the player not waste a season of development time.

 

Well, they're likely to be facing competition at their level. And you ignored the HS guys I mentioned (Heyward, Parker, Porcello). That doesn't mean that it's a good thing that Vitters meant a couple months of development, just that I don't see the correlation.

Those three also were not injured/unhealthy their senior year.

 

There probably isn't a correlation but judging from the information I've read Vitters is not that same player he was in the showcase games.

[badnews]

Matthew Cerda's status is unknown, but he was drafted higher than expected:

 

Higher as in closer to #1 or higher as in closer to #1500? Because if it's the former I was going to make a wiseass comment about the Cubs never doing anything like that.

[Guest]

More on 10th rounder Alex Wilson: http://www.dailymail.com/Sports/200806090086

 

The Chicago Cubs, who selected him in the 10th round with the 311th overall pick, plan to watch Wilson pitch in the highly regarded Cape Cod League before they begin financial negotiations with him.

 

"They want to see me pitch in the Cape because I haven't played at all this season," said Wilson, who used a redshirt season this year after he had "Tommy John" surgery (ligament transplant). "I'll start getting offers after a couple of starts."

 

That is fine by Wilson, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound right-hander who has two years of college eligibility remaining and can return to Texas A&M if he isn't happy with the Cubs' offer.

 

"I have two years of college baseball left if I choose to go that route," said Wilson, who was West Virginia's high school player of the year in 2005. "I'll still have the same leverage again next year because I'm only going to be a junior. That's a huge plus."

[Guest]

Any bets as to who will be the first signing?

 

Probably a few of the college seniors - Jake Opitz, Tony Campana, Ryan Keady, David Macias, Rebel Ridling and/or TeWayne Willis (Ryan Sontag is a senior too but ASU has advanced to the College World Series so he won't sign before the Sun Devils are eliminated).

[wekse]

it's too bad gray won't sign.

[Wrigley Rat]

Former King College and Sullivan Central pitcher Eric Allen is living a dream and getting to play professional baseball. Allen, 6-3, 195, who was 4-2 with a 4.65 ERA with the Tornado this spring, signed Saturday at 11:00 am with Chicago Cubs at King College as an undrafted free agent. Chicago Cubs scout Keith Ryman of Jefferson City signed Allen, who throws 88-91 mph and has reached 93. The Cubs feel he has good potential as a mid-reliever or a closer. He will leave next week for Cubs training facility in Mesa, AZ. for orientation and may be assigned to Boise, ID in a rookie league.

http://www.tricitiessports.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=88&twindow=Default&mad=No&sdetail=26820&wpage=&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1131&hn=tricitiessports&he=.com