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Nationals Sign 8th Rounder


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

This entry was posted on Friday, August 14th, 2009, 2:20 PM and is filed under Draft. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

  1. #1 by Marcus - August 14th, 2009 at 14:24

    Good job FO…

  2. #2 by Other Marc with a C - August 14th, 2009 at 14:32

    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.

  3. #3 by Andrew Stebbins - August 14th, 2009 at 14:46

    No idea why they picked him there. Well, I do, but that’s for a different day.

  4. #4 by Berndaddy - August 14th, 2009 at 15:11

    What you talkin’ about Willis aka Andrew Stebbins?

  5. #5 by Chris - August 14th, 2009 at 15:17

    Other Marc with a C :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.

    Why is that not a good sign? Me confused.

  6. #6 by Scott - August 14th, 2009 at 16:35

    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.

  7. #7 by BinM - August 14th, 2009 at 17:26

    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?).

  8. #8 by Ric - August 14th, 2009 at 17:38

    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

  9. #9 by Paul - August 14th, 2009 at 17:43

    I’m becoming more and more impressed with Rizzo. I think he should be our GM for the future.

  10. #10 by Other Marc with a C - August 14th, 2009 at 17:45

    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.

  11. #11 by Ric - August 14th, 2009 at 18:57

    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”

  12. #12 by Other Marc with a C - August 14th, 2009 at 19:14

    Now I see . . . my bad.

  13. #13 by russ - August 15th, 2009 at 09:27

    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.

  14. #14 by joeNatsfan - August 15th, 2009 at 09:45

    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.

  15. #15 by joeNatsfan - August 16th, 2009 at 00:31

    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.

  16. #16 by Andrew Stebbins - August 16th, 2009 at 10:47

    So…what do we do if they don’t sign Strasburg?

  17. #17 by estuartj - August 16th, 2009 at 12:21

    Since we can do nothing but wait on SS how about a new conversation about Bryce Harper;

    1. 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?

    2. 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?

    3. Is Harper the next Alex Rodriguez or just a very good young hitter?

  18. #18 by Dougie - August 16th, 2009 at 12:22

    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.

  19. #19 by Jack - August 16th, 2009 at 16:05

    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.

  20. #20 by ‘Nats fan in NJ - August 16th, 2009 at 19:34

    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.

  21. #21 by ‘Nats fan in NJ - August 16th, 2009 at 19:34

    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.

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