2009 Draft Signing Thread

[AlaskanTigersFan]

Here's where we can keep up on which draft picks sign with the Tigers. (For those who dont wanna dig through the 2009 Draft thread.)

Bold indicates player has signed with the Tigers.

1 Jacob Turner RHP
2 Andrew Oliver LHP
3 Wade Gaynor 3B
4 Edwin Gomez SS
5 Austin Wood LHP
6 Daniel Fields SS
7 Jamie Johnson CF
8 Craig Fritsch RHP
9 John Murrian C
10 Christopher Sedon 2B
11 Adam Wilk LHP
12 Matthew Thomson RHP
13 Michael Rockett CF
14 Kevan Hess RHP
15 Mark Appel RHP
16 Kenny Faulk LHP
17 Nathan Newman RHP
18 Eric Roof C
19 Rawley Bishop 3B
20 James Gulliver SS
21 Giovanni Soto LHP
22 Matthew Mansilla CF
23 Cory Hamilton RHP
24 Wade Kapteyn RHP
25 Almon "Victor" Roache RF
26 Edgar Corcino 3B
27 Patrick McKenna SS
28 Tobin Mateychick RHP
29 Michael Morrison RHP
30 James Robbins 1B
31 Andrew Walter RHP
32 Parker Markel RHP
33 Cody Keefer CF
34 Derek Kline RHP
35 Patrick Biondi CF
36 Benjamin Crumpton SS
37 Daniel Canela C
38 Tarran Senay OF
39 Chad Duling SS
40 Ben Bechtol C
41 Larry Balkwill C
42 Nicholas Avila RHP
43 Andrew Allen 1B
44 Charles Markson RF
45 James Brennan RF
46 Nathan Goro 3B
47 Kevin Chambers LHP
48 Jake Porcello RHP
49 Cameron Giannini RHP
50 Nicholas Rosthenhausler LF


Tigers Select 50 Players During 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft

[Cult of Guillen]

good idea. hopefully we'll start populating this list soon, though I suspect it will take awhile to get many of them in the fold.

[Microline133]

Several players have agreed to terms already -- with more agreeing over the weekend. We'll have some listed in the transaction blog later today.....

[apabruce]

Closing in on 1,000 QP (quality posts).

If quality posts are the standard, my count is less than 100. Fortunately, it's not [the standard].

[AlaskanTigersFan]

Mark can you post a link to the blog so I can try and update this thread from time to time?

[TStar]

Tigers have agreed to terms with LHP Kenny Faulk (16th round), C Eric Roof (18th round), and SS Patrick McKenna (27th round) per TigsTown Transaction Blog

[tigermojo]

Can we make this one a sticky?

[ballmich]

Is this it? We only signed three guys so far?

[Microline133]

Scout.com: TigsTown Transaction Blog: Updated 06/15/09

[AlaskanTigersFan]

Good start so far. I like what I've heard of Gaynor. Hopefully he wont be a 2nd Ron Bourquin.

[TonyJM]

Nothing too surprising yet, which makes sense given how early it is.

Mark -- is Thomson going to be a longer negotiation?

[Microline133]

Yes, I'd expect Thompson to take a little while, and I'll be surprised if he signs for slot.

[AlaskanTigersFan]

Which players did the Tigers pick knowing they would be tough signs but yet be great talents if we could sign them? I know OU mentioned that we could have an extremely good class if we signed a few of them, but he didn't elaborate which players specifically.

[Big Toe]

I'm no expert, but I know Appel and Fritsch qualify. Mateychick and Robbins probably also, though to a lesser extent. Oh, and Fields is the most obvious one.

I'm sure OU and Micro can probably give more complete answers, but that's a start.

[Microline133]

Guys like Fields (he will sign), Appel, Robbins, Senay, Keefer, and a few others would all be very nice gets.

Fritsch and Thompson would also be good guys to get in the fold, as they have talent, but coming off tough junior years, they may be tough to sign. Fritsch is playing in the Cape Cod League, so he'll be worth watching.

[Big Toe]

That's great news about Fields. I figured it'd happen since they used a relatively high pick on him, but to get some confirmation is great.

What round talent do you think he is if everyone considered him signable? Second?

[Microline133]

Depending on the team, probably a supplemental or second round guy.

I should caution, that is my opinion that he will sign, not a fact from someone in his camp.

[Big Toe]

Understood. You've observed these things closely for a while, so that's still pretty encouraging to me.

Thanks for the post. Major kudos for Ilitch if he's able to bring most of the big fish from this draft into the fold.

[Dunkin Darvin]

If they get Gomez, Gaynor, Fields and, Johnson to all sign I'd be really excited. Add two big time (in my opinion) pitching prospects in Turner and Oliver, a guy that was a really good college reliever and some really nice position players like those four...I'd be really happy with this draft and it could go along way in building back up the system.

[Microline133]

Gaynor is already signed, Johnson is close to signing, and I'll be shocked if Gomez doesn't sign.

[sportz4life]

If they get Gomez, Gaynor, Fields and, Johnson to all sign I'd be really excited. Add two big time (in my opinion) pitching prospects in Turner and Oliver, a guy that was a really good college reliever and some really nice position players like those four...I'd be really happy with this draft and it could go along way in building back up the system.

Ill be flabbergasted if they sign Fields..he wants >1MM ans I dont see them paying that much.

[ballmich]

Ill be flabbergasted if they sign Fields..he wants >1MM ans I dont see them paying that much.

Maybe so, but by virtue of taking him in the 6th round, you have to believe the organization believes they have a good chance to sign him. Maybe that's because they think his >$1MM ask is soft and he will negotiate down from that. Or maybe that means they are prepared to meet that demand if they have to. But either way, they probably think they can get him his to sign.

[sportz4life]

Maybe so, but by virtue of taking him in the 6th round, you have to believe the organization believes they have a good chance to sign him. Maybe that's because they think his >$1MM ask is soft and he will negotiate down from that. Or maybe that means they are prepared to meet that demand if they have to. But either way, they probably think they can get him his to sign.

Philly offered him close to 1.5MM he turned that down to be the 77th pick..ask Mark, Paul and OU..discount..think again..

[Dunkin Darvin]

Gaynor is already signed, Johnson is close to signing, and I'll be shocked if Gomez doesn't sign.

All good news.

[Dunkin Darvin]

Philly offered him close to 1.5MM he turned that down to be the 77th pick..ask Mark, Paul and OU..discount..think again..

I have a buddy pretty close to the UofM team, he seems to think Fields will end up at UofM. So you're right...its going to take a lot to get him.

[TonyJM]

Philly offered him close to 1.5MM he turned that down to be the 77th pick..ask Mark, Paul and OU..discount..think again..

I have no idea whether or not there will be a discount, but I'm guessing Detroit made it's pitch before selecting him (just like Philly did, and Detroit did last year with Crosby).


-Tony

[sportz4life]

I have no idea whether or not there will be a discount, but I'm guessing Detroit made it's pitch before selecting him (just like Philly did, and Detroit did last year with Crosby).


-Tony

Dont disagree..have always know it wold be a big number, I know the family well..if Mr. I wants to pay them..great..just dont see the value. He will not stay at SS..he is likely an OF..

[TonyJM]

Dont disagree..have always know it wold be a big number, I know the family well..if Mr. I wants to pay them..great..just dont see the value. He will not stay at SS..he is likely an OF..

BA was saying the move could be to 3B. If the bat plays well, I'm alright with getting a guy they'd to move. That being said, I have absolutely no idea how much he's worth, as I can't evaluate lower-level baseball skills and HS numbers provide almost no information. Regardless, I'm always excited the see the organization shell out money in the draft, as I take that investment to mean the club believes the player has substantial potential.


-Tony

[OU98]

Jamie Johnson (7) signs for $125,000.

West Ouachita product signs contract with Detroit Tigers | thenewsstar.com | The News Star

West Ouachita product signs contract with Detroit Tigers

By Krysten Oliphant • koliphant@thenewsstar.com • June 17, 2009

SWARTZ — Jamie Johnson had a Detroit Tigers hat when he was a kid, but he never really had a favorite team.

Now the former West Ouachita standout will be one of the Tigers’ biggest fans.

Johnson signed a one-year contract with Detroit worth $125,000 plus incentives Tuesday at his parents’ home in Swartz, with family, friends and former coaches in attendance.

And today the former Oklahoma centerfielder will head to Oneonta, NY, to play for the Tigers’ short-season Single A affiliate in the New York-Penn League.

“My advisor told me Sunday that it would probably be at least the weekend before I left,” Johnson said. “Then last night, Detroit called me and said, ‘Here’s your offer. We’re coming down tomorrow, and you fly out the next day.’ It was just like, ‘Whoa, that happened all at once.’”

Johnson was selected in the seventh round with the 210th pick in the 2009 MLB First-Year Player Draft after being selected in the 50th round out of high school. He played one year at Texarkana Community College before joining the Sooners.

Chris Wimmer, Detroit’s Mid-West area scout, has been watching Johnson play at Oklahoma for two years and said he was excited to finally sign the outfielder.

Wimmer said he liked Johnson’s speed in the outfield and in baserunning, was impressed by his arm and liked his at-bats.

“He’s a blue collar, scrappy player, and you know what you’re going to get from him,” Wimmer said. “What a pro manager likes is a guy that’s going to be consistent. You’ve got to separate yourself because the talent pool sort of shrinks up, and a guy that can put it all together and be consistent from day to day is really what they’re looking for.”

Mitch Thomas, Johnson’s former coach at West Ouachita, said he’s been extremely proud of Johnson’s career so far and continues to be impressed with him.He said there’s no question why the Tigers would want to sign him and get him started.

“He’s as good a hitter as has been here, and he’s probably one of the best hitters I’ve ever coached,” Thomas said. “All the work he’s put in, and you see it pay off for them, it’s exciting.”

Johnson’s schedule will be filled with games as soon as he gets to Oneonta, so he said he was trying to soak up the last of life at home before he left.

Wimmer said getting Johnson to the minors as quickly as possible is crucial in getting him settled in. And while Johnson said he’s a little nervous, he’s also anxious to get started.

“Them showing that they like me that much,” he said, “makes me want to go out and play harder to show that all that effort was worth it.”

[Big Toe]

Awesome. I'd kind of hoped he'd get assigned to West Michigan though.

[AlaskanTigersFan]

For what it's worth.... Ten to watch from Tigers' 2009 draft | detnews.com | The Detroit News
__________________________________________________ ___________________

Ten to watch from Tigers' 2009 draft

1. RHP Jacob Turner, Westminster Christian Academy, St. Louis: The Tigers acknowledge the risk in picking a prep pitcher in the first round. But in Turner, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound dynamo, they believe they have another top-of-the-rotation arm germinating -- if they can meet his high price.

2. LHP Andy Oliver, Oklahoma State: Again, it's a matter of signing a big (6-3, 212) pitcher with a shut-'em-down fastball. Oliver would have been a first-round pick had his breaking ball not gone on vacation this spring. The Tigers considered him a steal in the second round -- if they can make the dollars and his missing breaking ball, work.

3. SS Edwin Gomez, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy, Dorado, P.R.: Only 17 years old with tons of upside. Could end up in the outfield, but the Tigers don't care. He is 6-3, 170, has superb speed and a lightning, switch-hitting bat. Gomez was a fourth-round pick.

4. LHP Austin Wood, Texas: Some teams got scared off when Wood threw 169 pitches in the 25-inning game against Boston College. The Tigers checked him out, learned his arm is just fine, and decided to go with a college pitcher who could be ready for the big leagues quickly -- even if it's as a situational left-hander. He is a nightmare for left-handed hitters.

5. SS Daniel Fields, U-D Jesuit High: The son of former Tigers player and coach Bruce Fields would have been an early-round pick had he not committed to play at Michigan. The Tigers will have a tough summer bargaining with Fields, who may yet end up in Maize and Blue. But they loved his size (6-3), left-handed bat, speed, and potential.

6. 3B Wade Gaynor, Western Kentucky: He lit it up during a Comerica Park workout, driving numerous pitches into the outfield seats. He also has speed to go with his size (6-4, 213). That's why the Tigers made him their third-round pick.

7. CF Jamie Johnson, Oklahoma: The Tigers consider their seventh-round choice to be a Lenny Dykstra-type. Small (5-8) but tough, with good power, plate discipline, speed and grit. A potential leadoff batter.

8. RHP Craig Frisch, Baylor: Big (6-4), power arm -- vintage Tigers draft pick. Also will be difficult to sign because of an off-year and high dollar expectations that can't easily be fulfilled for an eighth-rounder. Might want to sit a year and try his luck next season. But if the Tigers can coax him into the fold, they consider him very high-ceiling.

9. 2B Chris Sedon, Pittsburgh: The Tigers' 10th-round pick had a huge season for Pitt, batting .398 with a .449 on-base percentage and a .796 slugging percentage. Hit 22 home runs, which was impressive for an infielder who is only 5-10, 170 pounds.

10. RHP Mark Appel, Monte Vista High, Danville, Calif.: He is committed to Stanford, which will make it a longshot that the Tigers can sign this 6-6 prospect who was a dice-roll in the 15th-round. Detroit will do what it can to persuade him to consider pro baseball immediately. But, once again, upside made it impossible for the Tigers to pass.

[84 Lives!!!]

We're still at 16 signs... correct?

Anyone know how negotiations are going with any of the picks...?

[Microline133]

None of the other picks have signed yet since the first slug.

They did sign UDFA Jacob Cruz to play outfield with the GCL.

[AlaskanTigersFan]

Mark or Jason, do you guys know of any of the players that are close to signing? Or perhaps some players you think we'll see signed soon? Thanks.

[Microline133]

I don't think any of the remaining guys are all that close....some of the Puerto Rican guys could sign relatively soon, but it could be a while on the others.

[AlaskanTigersFan]

Thank you sir.

[Microline133]

Soto has signed.

[vannzee]

They did sign UDFA Jacob Cruz to play outfield with the GCL.

Any info on him? Where did he go to school?

Also, it seems like theres been some high school players drafted late signing for other clubs. The Angels signed the last pick in the draft, Alibay Barkley, and I see a late round INF Ryan Skube signed.

[Microline133]

Cruz was a four-year guy at Kansas State...some speed, a little gap power, some solid defense....your dime-a-dozen college outfielder signed to fill out a roster in the lower rungs.

[vannzee]

Cruz was a four-year guy at Kansas State...some speed, a little gap power, some solid defense....your dime-a-dozen college outfielder signed to fill out a roster in the lower rungs.

Thank you...all google was giving me was info on the ex-Tigers Jacob Cruz.