I know it was day three, but Kevin Graham and Justin Bench are obviously expected to sign. I think both would have even signed free agent deals had they not been drafted. The results were in with both of those players.
The Brewers were burning picks and took Ethan Lege late. There shouldn't be much concern there. Milwaukee doesn't have the money to try to hit his number. Lege is really good defensively and can play all over the place, so I refuse to compare him to Bench, but that's the overall profile.
Things are somewhat interesting with Grayson Saunier, the pitcher signee, who was taken in the 19th round by the Rangers. As its stands, Texas can't get to his number but just keep an eye on Brock Porter. Porter was the 12th-ranked player in the class by Baseball America, but he has a high price tag -- around $4 million. The Rangers took him in the fourth round and plan to use money saved on Kumar Rocker to try to sign Porter. Rocker is expected to sign for $2.39 million below slot value. The Rangers didn't have second or third round picks. The thought is Porter will sign for around $3.7 million which Texas has in the piggy bank.
“Last night, as we watched the first round transpire, it became clear that Porter was one that we may have an opportunity to draft and so we were prepared,” Rangers GM Chris Young said. “It was a restless night’s sleep for me, knowing that he was there and may be available and we’d have a lot of picks (need) to pass before we’d have the opportunity. We’re very excited and looking forward to welcoming Brock to the Rangers organization.”
“I’m ecstatic,” added senior director of amateur scouting Kip Fagg. “I can’t remember in all my years where we ended up getting two players of this caliber at the top of the draft. … It’s unbelievable.”
All that to say... if Porter signs with Texas, Saunier will be in Oxford. If something falls through with Porter, Saunier is a backup plan and Texas would have enough money to sign him.
Drew McDaniel wasn't drafted, but I expect him to sign as a free agent or transfer. He visited Houston, and UCF and ULL are other possible landing spots. There may be more, but I've heard those.
The Brewers were burning picks and took Ethan Lege late. There shouldn't be much concern there. Milwaukee doesn't have the money to try to hit his number. Lege is really good defensively and can play all over the place, so I refuse to compare him to Bench, but that's the overall profile.
Things are somewhat interesting with Grayson Saunier, the pitcher signee, who was taken in the 19th round by the Rangers. As its stands, Texas can't get to his number but just keep an eye on Brock Porter. Porter was the 12th-ranked player in the class by Baseball America, but he has a high price tag -- around $4 million. The Rangers took him in the fourth round and plan to use money saved on Kumar Rocker to try to sign Porter. Rocker is expected to sign for $2.39 million below slot value. The Rangers didn't have second or third round picks. The thought is Porter will sign for around $3.7 million which Texas has in the piggy bank.
“Last night, as we watched the first round transpire, it became clear that Porter was one that we may have an opportunity to draft and so we were prepared,” Rangers GM Chris Young said. “It was a restless night’s sleep for me, knowing that he was there and may be available and we’d have a lot of picks (need) to pass before we’d have the opportunity. We’re very excited and looking forward to welcoming Brock to the Rangers organization.”
“I’m ecstatic,” added senior director of amateur scouting Kip Fagg. “I can’t remember in all my years where we ended up getting two players of this caliber at the top of the draft. … It’s unbelievable.”
All that to say... if Porter signs with Texas, Saunier will be in Oxford. If something falls through with Porter, Saunier is a backup plan and Texas would have enough money to sign him.
Drew McDaniel wasn't drafted, but I expect him to sign as a free agent or transfer. He visited Houston, and UCF and ULL are other possible landing spots. There may be more, but I've heard those.
