The Cincinnati Reds are "pretty close" to completing a deal with first round draft pick Nick Travieso, reports Mark Sheldon of MLB.com.
Reds general manager Walt Jocketty told Sheldon that the team expects to come to an agreement with the 14th overall pick sometime this week. Travieso has a commitment to the University of Miami, but the right-hander is reportedly eager to sign professionally.
Travieso, a 6' 3" right-hander out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, went 8-1 with a 0.76 ERA for Archbishop McCarthy High School this year, striking out 100 and walking only 17 in 65 innings. His fastball frequently clocked between 93-95mph, the young power pitcher was ranked 40th in Baseball America's draft preview and has drawn comparisons to San Francisco's Matt Cain.
Though no numbers have been released as of yet, the recommended bonus slot for a 14th pick is $2.375 million. Travieso has yet to come to Cincinnati to undergo a physical but the Reds expect him to do so very soon.