The 2008 Draft Signings Thread

[Wrigley Rat]

Catcher Luis Flores expects to sign an official contract with the Cubs in the next few days. He’ll then report to Boise, Idaho, and join the Boise Hawks, a Cubs’ Class A affiliate, beginning June 17.

 

“I told myself that if I was drafted in the top eight rounds I would sign. Other than that and I would have headed back to school,” Flores said.

 

While Flores was the starting pitcher in his final collegiate game, he said it’s as a catcher that he plans on achieving his success. He already has one advantage as he was the only catcher the Cubs drafted.

 

http://www.delrionewsherald.com/story.lasso?ewcd=11c65e19421ff595

 

Only catcher drafted?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

They're going to move Cerda to catcher.

[Guest]

15th rounder RHP Casey Coleman (Florida Gulf Coast U) is the first player to sign with the Cubs. No exacts on the bonus but it is more than slot for 15th rounders and less than $100,000:

 

Cape Coral News Press[/url]"]Coleman, chosen in the 15th round by the Chicago Cubs, signed today. While he didn’t hit his signing goal of $100,000, he said “It’s a lot better money than 15th rounders get. I didn’t see going into the summer as helping.”

 

A junior, Coleman said the money the Cubs gave him to finish his education exceeded what the costs will be. He’ll fly to Mesa, Ariz. For his physical then begin play with the Boise (Idaho) Hawks.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Nice, Coleman was one that might've been a tricky sign.

[Outshined_One]

15th rounder RHP Casey Coleman (Florida Gulf Coast U) is the first player to sign with the Cubs. No exacts on the bonus but it is more than slot for 15th rounders and less than $100,000:

 

Cape Coral News Press[/url]"]Coleman, chosen in the 15th round by the Chicago Cubs, signed today. While he didn’t hit his signing goal of $100,000, he said “It’s a lot better money than 15th rounders get. I didn’t see going into the summer as helping.”

 

A junior, Coleman said the money the Cubs gave him to finish his education exceeded what the costs will be. He’ll fly to Mesa, Ariz. For his physical then begin play with the Boise (Idaho) Hawks.

 

Good signing. :good:

[Guest]

If you want to keep track of the signings, I have edited the top portion of the original post in this thread with information on any signings. Outshined or any mod can edit in new signings as they come along. Also, the original post in the Cubs picks thread will keep track of signings.

[Outshined_One]

From PingHitter when we drafted Coleman:

 

Coleman was the key recruit for the new Florida Gulf Coast baseball program three years ago and has not disappointed, leading the team since the start of his freshman year both on the mound and in the field. FGC upgraded to provisional NCAA Division I status this spring and topped the Atlantic Sun Conference most of the spring, though will not be eligible for post-season play. The son of former Detroit Tigers 20-game winner Joe Coleman, the third overall pick in the 1965 draft, and grandson of former Philadelphia Phillies righthander Joe Coleman, Casey has an opportunity to make baseball history as there are only a handful of three-generation families that have played Major League Baseball—the Boones and Bells being the most famous. Like his father and grandfather, Coleman’s future is on the mound despite his ability to play shortstop and third base. Coleman’s fastball was up to 94 mph this spring as the FGC Friday starter. He understandably has an advanced idea how to pitch, given his background, and uses his curveball and changeup well. Giving up full-time infield duty should add some consistency to his command and stuff at the next level as Colemen tends to be more erratic with his command than he should be at this point. Coleman went 6-3, 4.57 with 52 strikeouts in 63 innings this spring (through mid-May) and hit .312-5-32.—

 

Like I said, this is a good signing, imo.

[badnews]

From PingHitter when we drafted Coleman:

 

Coleman was the key recruit for the new Florida Gulf Coast baseball program three years ago and has not disappointed, leading the team since the start of his freshman year both on the mound and in the field. FGC upgraded to provisional NCAA Division I status this spring and topped the Atlantic Sun Conference most of the spring, though will not be eligible for post-season play. The son of former Detroit Tigers 20-game winner Joe Coleman, the third overall pick in the 1965 draft, and grandson of former Philadelphia Phillies righthander Joe Coleman, Casey has an opportunity to make baseball history as there are only a handful of three-generation families that have played Major League Baseball—the Boones and Bells being the most famous. Like his father and grandfather, Coleman’s future is on the mound despite his ability to play shortstop and third base. Coleman’s fastball was up to 94 mph this spring as the FGC Friday starter. He understandably has an advanced idea how to pitch, given his background, and uses his curveball and changeup well. Giving up full-time infield duty should add some consistency to his command and stuff at the next level as Colemen tends to be more erratic with his command than he should be at this point. Coleman went 6-3, 4.57 with 52 strikeouts in 63 innings this spring (through mid-May) and hit .312-5-32.—

 

Like I said, this is a good signing, imo.

 

The problem is all of these scouting reports are hopelessly optimistic, I mean, go back and read the scouting reports on Kitt Kopach, Mike Phelps, Yusuf Carter, Trey Taylor (drafted twice by the Cubs and never threw a pitch for them). Jake Renshaw's scouting report made him sound "badass."

[Outshined_One]

The problem is all of these scouting reports are hopelessly optimistic, I mean, go back and read the scouting reports on Kitt Kopach, Mike Phelps, Yusuf Carter, Trey Taylor (drafted twice by the Cubs and never threw a pitch for them). Jake Renshaw's scouting report made him sound "badass."

 

So...you're saying the Cubs...shouldn't have signed him? :-k

[badnews]

No, it means I can't tell who is anything more than 40th round talent and who is actually maybe something a little better by these reports, they're all written in a way that makes it sound like the Cubs got a steal in every round. I remember actually being excited reading the scouting reports on guys like Jayson Ruhlman, Mike Phelps, Deryck Lewis, Yusuf Carter, man I thought we had a great draft that year!

[Guest]

17th rounder Jonathan Nagel signed. He's going to rehab in Mesa from TJS.

 

Wanting to be in control of his rehabilitation, the Cubs are having Nagel report to Mesa, Ariz., their spring training site. He already has a 2008 contract in tow, allowing him to get paid during the upcoming 10-to-12 weeks of intense rehab.

[Guest]

44th rounder Ashton Florko doesn't think he'll sign:

 

The Bachelor of Arts student at UBC was picked in the 44th round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Chicago Cubs.

 

Florko says he knew there was a possibility he'd be chosen.

 

Florko says he'll be a part of a summer draft, and scouts will look at him over the summer...but he's leaning towards not signing this year.

[Outshined_One]

17th rounder Jonathan Nagel signed. He's going to rehab in Mesa from TJS.

 

Wanting to be in control of his rehabilitation, the Cubs are having Nagel report to Mesa, Ariz., their spring training site. He already has a 2008 contract in tow, allowing him to get paid during the upcoming 10-to-12 weeks of intense rehab.

 

It's not a guarantee he'll be able to get his stuff back and/or remain healthy, but it's worth a chance.

[Guest]

9th rounder Jay Jackson to sign today:

 

Four days after being selected in the ninth round of Major League Baseball's draft by the Chicago Cubs, the junior right-hander who played at Christ Church Episcopal School today flew to Mesa, Ariz., to sign with the organization.

 

"It feels great to have everything worked out," Jackson said before boarding the plane. "Now I can just go out there, play baseball and have fun."

 

After a few days of workouts with other signees and players at the organization's minor league complex in Mesa, Jackson will be assigned to a team. He would remain in extended spring training in Mesa, join Boise of the Rookie level Northwest League or Peoria of the Class A Midwest League.

 

http://cmsimg.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=BS&Date=20080610&Category=SPORTS0103&ArtNo=806100374&Ref=AR&Profile=1013&MaxW=550&MaxH=650&title=0

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

Bob mentioned on the broadcast his son had taken his physical and took BP in Mesa today, so I'm guessing he signed or is close to signing.

[Outshined_One]

From the Cubs picks thread:

 

9th Round: RHP Randy Jackson, Furman (now known as Jay Jackson)

 

Righthander Jay Jackson had a great summer in the Great Lakes League in 2007 and carried that success into this season. He finished 9-2, 3.17 for the Paladins, mixing his low-90s fastball with a solid slider and true downer curveball to overmatch hitters. An athlete on the mound, Jackson also played center field for Furman and hit .336 with eight home runs. Jackson has a solid frame with room to grow and could potentially gain even more velocity on his fastball. He is also developing a changeup that could make him into a true four-pitch threat.

 

http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/furm/sports/m-basebl/auto_action/1982381.jpeg

[Guest]

22nd rounder RHP Tarlandus Mitchell signs: link.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

According to this, Kyle Wilson, who was selected in the 31st round, is not expected to sign.

 

Wilson (6-foot, 195 pounds) signed an NCAA letter of intent with North Carolina State this spring and was drafted Friday in the 31st round by the Cubs in Baseball’s Amateur Draft.

 

Wilson is playing in the Northwoods League, a wood-bat league for college-age players, with the Wisconsin Woodchucks in Wausau, Wis., this summer. He was hitting .250 after seven games, with four doubles, two stolen bases and a team-high eight runs.

 

Although Wilson was flattered at the Cubs’ interest, he expects to head to Raleigh, N.C., this fall and play for the Wolfpack.

 

“I talked to them, and I talked to the Cubs,” Wilson said.

 

“[The Cubs] are going to follow me this summer and then come up with a deal. I know 31st-round money probably won’t take me away [from N.C. State] for a year.”

[Guest]

While it doesn't say he's signed, the article mentions that Luis Flores "made a hard decision" (signing over returning for his senior year at OkSU) and that he is headed to Boise at the end of this week.

 

http://www.kristv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8463749&nav=Bsmj

[Transmogrified Tiger]

Nice to see Coleman and Jackson sign. They're the two second day picks I'm most intrigued about.

[Guest]

According to AZ Phil, the following players have already signed with the Cubs and worked out at Fitch today:

 

RHP Jay Jackson, Furman - 9th rounder

2B Jake Opitz, Nebraskas - 12th rounder

1B Ryan Keedy, UAB - 16th rounder

CF David Macias, Vanderbilt - 19th rounder

C Michael Brenly, UNLV - 36th rounder

 

Plus there were 2 or 3 others who AZ Phil couldn't identify clearly.

[Outshined_One]

The Cubs picked up another UDFA in Murray State RHP Mike Perconte.

 

Perconte (Lisle, Ill.) was one of the most consistent pitchers on the ‘Breds 2008 roster as he finished the season with a 4-5 record and a 4.12 ERA. He was second on the team with four complete games and tied for the team lead with 67 strikeouts.

 

He earned Ohio Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week honors on April 21 after tossing a complete-game eight hit shutout at Eastern Kentucky. He followed that up two starts later by holding Tennessee Tech, the league’s top offense, to just one run on five hits and a career-best 12 strikeouts in the complete-game effort.

 

"We are thrilled that Mike is getting this opportunity with the Chicago Cubs," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "I am proud of the development Mike made in his time at Murray State. It was enjoyable watching him develop and mature as a player and as a young man. He truly became a team leader in our program. Mike has only pitched for about 3 years now and I am confident his best is still ahead of him."

 

Being around professional baseball is nothing new to Mike. His father, Jack, was a 16th round selection by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1978 Major League Baseball Draft after playing collegiately at MSU. He went on to play eight seasons in the majors with the Dodgers, Cleveland Indians, Seattle Mariners and Chicago White Sox.

[Outshined_One]

42nd rounder RHP Derek Riley out of Chandler-Gilbert CC is expected to forego the Cubs and go to Arkansas State: Link

[Outshined_One]

16th Rounder UAB 1B Ryan Keedy confirmed as signed. Link

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

I'm so hoping Jericho Jones signs. He's local and I love that name.