Nationals Sign 8th Rounder
August 14th, 2009
Just out from the Nationals
The Washington Nationals today agreed to terms with shortstop Roberto Perez, who was selected in the eighth round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft out of Dorado (PR) Academy. Nationals Assistant General Manager and Vice President of Baseball Operations Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
The 6-foot-1, 175 lbs. Perez is blessed with advanced defensive instincts and a strong throwing arm that has rendered extended pitching stints during his prep days. Perez, 18, had originally committed to played baseball at Oklahoma State University. He is the nephew of former big league shortstop Dickie Thon.
With today’s signing, the Nationals have now agreed to terms with 27 players from the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, including 10 of their top 12 picks. The Nationals’ First-Year Player Draft class of 2009 is listed below, with those in bold having already signed or agreed to terms.
That leaves 5th round LHP Miguel Pena and Strasburg as the only unsigned players from the first 10 rounds. According to Baseball America, he received a $150K signing bonus
Categories: Draft
Good job FO…
FWIW: BA has this note about Pena:
5, 142 Nationals Miguel Pena, lhp, Expected to attend San Jacinto JC
Not a good sign I guess.
No idea why they picked him there. Well, I do, but that’s for a different day.
What you talkin’ about Willis aka Andrew Stebbins?
Why is that not a good sign? Me confused.
Any word on where the Nats plan to use Perez? BA says he could stay at SS, switch to be a RHP, 3B, OF or even catcher.
I’m suprised they inked this kid for only $150k. I mean, a full-ride at Oklahoma State is nothing to sneeze at.
We probably won’t get a look at him until extended spring training 2010 (he signed too late for AZ Fall league, yes?).
Wonder what happened with Pena? This article from June, quoting him, made it sound like it was not if but when.
http://www.rgvsports.com/articles/game-4662-play-pena.html
I’m becoming more and more impressed with Rizzo. I think he should be our GM for the future.
BA’s chart was indicating who they expected to sign, and who they expected not to. If the chart indicated that the kid was expected to go to school, it meant they did not expect him to sign.
Other Marc with a C – I think comment #5 and you are using the word “sign” differently – in your case, as “an omen”, in his case, as a “person to sign to a contract”
Now I see . . . my bad.
Pena is taking a risk by going to a JC if that is the decision he is going to make. He will likely get a substantial bonus if he signs and he will have to do very well at the JC to move up in next year’s draft. We will see, but I would guess he will sign this weekend.
I really thought Miguel Pena would be an easy sign based upon things he has said to reporters. Maybe his adviser or his parents have changed his mind. His advisor is also advising Tyler Lyons NYY (unsigned), Steve Matz NYM (unsigned), Chad James Fla (unsigned). 3 pitching clients in the first 10 rounds. All three unsigned. He did advise AJ Pollock and he signed so I guess that is something.
I still believe they can sign him. Just because BA says they expect him to go to JUCO doesn’t mean much to me. Where would they get that info from? Pena and his advisor….could just be a negotiating tactic to get a little more money. Hard signs get more money thrown at them.
Pretty ironic:
http://www.krgv.com/content/sports/HighSchool/story/Local-Signs-With-Houston-Astros/z66HVFdvekanxuySR3wX0w.cspx
Astros have signed 18-yr old Ruben Alaniz for $160K as an undrafted free agent. Alaniz is an unsigned free agent from a neighboring high school. It is pretty ironic that this kid signs and is ecstatic and Pena and the Nats are still in a holding pattern. I hope the Nats give him $200-300k and he takes it.
So…what do we do if they don’t sign Strasburg?
Since we can do nothing but wait on SS how about a new conversation about Bryce Harper;
Assuming he is the hitter he is believed to be does he stay at catcher or move to an easier defensive position so he can progress to MLB faster?
Is Harper, not SS the guy Boras needs to blow up the draft system since Harper can go back to CC without significantly damaging his development and contract leverage?
Is Harper the next Alex Rodriguez or just a very good young hitter?
Stop reading the comments here…till the end of August. Not signing SS is like having an argument with your wife. Makes no difference if you’re right or wrong, you’re still not getting laid for a week.
The Nats should not offere Strasberg one more cent than already offered. Boras is holding MLB hostage with his outrageous demands. How many first round draft picks does Boras represent? They are all unsigned waiting for Strasberg to do something. It will be interesting to see if they panic and break from Boras and sign with their respective teams or if Strasberg says to hell with you Boras and signs tonight and then the rest will quickly sign.
It might be against the law but the owners should make a pact not to deal with Boras so that anyone who he represents will never be signed.
Ok, I’ve officially failed in my attempt to wait until 9pm tomorrow before I start stressing over this. Boswell has a great article on these negotiations. I have to say, I can’t imagine being SS and turning down $20M (or in that neigborhood). Guess that is why we are mortals and they don’t think they are.
Ok, I’ve officially failed in my attempt to wait until 9pm tomorrow before I start stressing over this. Boswell has a great article on these negotiations. I have to say, I can’t imagine being SS and turning down $20M (or in that neigborhood). Guess that is why we are mortals and they don’t think they are.