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Draft Rumors: Lopez, Starling, Fisher, Barlow, Giles

By Satchel Price
SECAUCUS, NJ - JUNE 07: The draft podium is seen prior to the start of the MLB First Year Player Draft on June 7, 2010 held in Studio 42 at the MLB Network in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
SECAUCUS, NJ - JUNE 07: The draft podium is seen prior to the start of the MLB First Year Player Draft on June 7, 2010 held in Studio 42 at the MLB Network in Secaucus, New Jersey. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
Getty Images

We're about a week away from the August 15 deadline for 2011 draft picks to sign with their new MLB teams, and some players are beginning to sign with their respective organizations. Most of the elite prospects won't sign until the very last minute, though, so don't get too worried until the bell has rung.

  • The Brewers announced yesterday that they reached preliminary agreements with second-round pick Jorge Lopez and fifth-round pick Michael Reed, according to Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. Lopez, a right-handed pitcher out of high school from Puerto Rico, has reportedly signed for $690K, while Reed, a toolsy high school outfielder from Texas, has received a $500K bonus. Both bonuses were reported by Baseball America's Jim Callis, and they're well above the commissioner's slot recommendations.
  • The Royals, "will offer [Bubba] Starling the largest signing bonus in franchise history, likely one of the biggest in baseball history," according to Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star. Back in 2008, the Royals gave Eric Hosmer a $6 million signing bonus, so Starling will reportedly be receiving an offer in excess of that figure.
  • Rangers officials indicated to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan that they don't expect the club to sign sixth-round pick Derek Fisher to a contract before the deadline passes. Fisher, a high school outfielder from Pennsylvania, is committed to play for the University of Virginia next year, and was considered an exceptionally tough sign coming into the draft.
  • Sixth-round pick Scott Barlow agreed to a contract with the Dodgers, according to Callis. Barlow, a projectable right-handed pitcher from California, was committed to join Fresno State next year, but has agreed upon a $150K signing bonus to become a Dodger.
  • The Phillies have signed seventh-round pick Kenny Giles for $250K, according to Callis. Giles spent last year playing for Yavapai Junior College but is forgoing a scholarship with the University of Arizona in order to join the Phillies. He's reportedly touched 99 MPH with his fastball, which obviously explains the above-slot signing bonus.

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