The Major League Baseball deadline for drafted players to sign with their professional teams came and went Monday at midnight. That exhale heard in Gainesville came from head coach Kevin O’Sullivan and the Florida coaching staff, whose highly ranked recruiting class did not suffer major damage.
The Florida recruits who signed professional contracts were pretty much expected. Fort Myers Bishop Verot third baseman Bobby Borchering (first round, 16th overall by Arizona), Port Charlotte left-handed pitcher David Holmberg (second round, 71st overall by the Chicago Whits Sox), Mitchell left-handed pitcher Patrick Schuster (13th round, 396th overall by Arizona) and Palm Beach Community College left-handed pitcher Mike Rayl (15th round, 455th overall by Cleveland) were the only recruits who signed professionally.
LeVon Washington, a second baseman/outfielder from Gainesville Buchholz High School taken with the 30th pick overall by the Tampa Bay Rays, did not sign and is likely headed to junior college to play again. When Washington was drafted, it was expected that he would be an easy sign for the Rays, particularly after he said he longed to be a member of the organization. But Washington, represented by agent Scott Boras, and the Rays never got close, and the Rays’ executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman announced Monday that the team and Washington likely would not agree by midnight.
“We are disappointed that LeVon has chosen not to sign with the Rays. We offered him a bonus consistent with late first-round picks,” Friedman said. “Immediately following the draft, he seemed eager to sign but it has not materialized. We wish LeVon great success with his baseball career.”
By not signing Washington, the Rays will be compensated with a first-round draft choice in next year’s June draft. Washington, meanwhile, is headed to junior college and would be eligible for the 2010 draft. If he had elected to go to Florida, who would not be eligible until 2012.
Boras also represented the top three picks of the draft—San Diego State right-hander Stephen Strasberg, North Carolina center fielder Dustin Ackley and Donavan Tate, a Cartersville, Ga., high school outfielder —and all three signed as the clock neared midnight. The Washington Nationals and Strasberg agreed to a four-year deal worth $15.67 million. Tate, who was going to play football and baseball at North Carolina, signed a deal worth $6.25. Terms for Ackley and another Boras-represented player, Southern Cal shortstop Grant Green, the 13th pick by Oakland, were not announced.
Besides Washington, Mariner catcher Michael Zunino (Oakland, 29th round/873 overall), Gulliver Prep left-handed pitcher Steven Rodriguez (Houston, 48/1,451), Dunwoody right-handed pitcher Hudson Randall (Kansas City, 46/1,382), Eagle’s View Academy catcher Austin Maddox (Tampa Bay, 37/1,129), Young Harris College transfer Bryson Smith (Cleveland, 30/905), Cocoa Beach left-handed pitcher Brian Johnson (Los Angeles Dodgers, 27/817) and Cardinal Mooney right-handed pitcher Michael Heller (Pittsburgh, 29/865) did not sign. All except Washington are enrolled.
Non-drafted recruits who will also be on campus in the fall include Winter Haven right-handed pitcher Ben Brown, Park Vista infielder Cody Dent, West Orange shortstop Nolan Fontana and Park Vista outfielder Kamm Washington.
Last year’s Florida baseball team also had some players sign. Right-handed closer Billy Bullock (Minnesota, 2/70), outfielder Avery Barnes (Colorado, 11/331), left-handed reliever Tony Davis (Minnesota, 12/372), Patrick Keating (Kansas City, 20/602), catcher Buddy Munroe (Minnesota, 22/681), left-handed pitcher Stephen Locke (Los Angeles Angels, 22/681), shortstop Mike Mooney (Baltimore, 23/686) and outfielder Riley Cooper (Texas, 25/754) all signed with the professional teams that drafted them. Cooper’s deal with the Rangers allows him to play football this fall for the Gators and finish up his degree requirements.
Florida outfielder Matt den Dekker (Pittsburgh, 16/475) and left-handed pitcher Kevin Chapman (Chicago White Sox, 50/1,513) did not sign professionally and will return for the 2010 season. Den Dekker was projected as an early pick before the 2009 season, but a disappointing offensive season saw his stock drop in the draft. The 2010 season will give him the opportunity to boost his draft stock.
GatorCountry.com will have an in-depth interview on the 2009 signing class with head coach Kevin O’Sullivan Tuesday.