2009 Reds draft signings

[redsmetz]

Originally Posted by Edd Roush

Can you summarize what this says? The firewall at work is blocking it. Thanks.

Here's the story:

Nearly two months after one of his baseball-related dreams -- getting drafted -- became a reality, former Brownsburg star catcher Tucker Barnhart still is waiting for a pair of others: Signing his first pro contract, then reporting to his first pro team.

Frustrating? Well ...

"A little bit," said Barnhart, Indiana's Mr. Baseball and a Georgia Tech recruit who was drafted in the 10th round (299th overall) by the Cincinnati Reds in June (and who quickly decided he wanted to sign).

"I mean, I can't really complain too much, because what I'm waiting on is to be a professional athlete. It's kind of hard to be too upset or too frustrated."

Barnhart is waiting because the proposed contract -- agreed-to by both sides, according to the catcher -- would pay him well above the "slot" recommendation made by the commissioner's office for a 10th-round pick (Barnhart has said his bonus involves third- or fourth-round money). The commissioner's office typically does not approve above-slot deals until closer to the Aug. 17 signing deadline.

Barnhart said his agent, Wes Theriot of Beverly Hills Sports Council (brother of Cubs shortstop Ryan Theriot), has a conference call with the Reds on Wednesday. He expects the deal might get done shortly after Friday's Major League Baseball trade deadline, possibly as early as next week.

After that, Barnhart said he is "99 percent sure" he will report to the Reds' High-A affiliate in Sarasota, Fla. (the other one percent would be to their short-season team in Billings, Mont.; the Reds also have a Low-A team in Dayton, Ohio). Barnhart expects to remain a catcher with his quasi-hometown franchise.

Meanwhile, Barnhart is just training, lifting, and practicing -- "making sure I'm in shape and all that," he said, "just to be ready for whenever they do need me to leave."

Also, he is enjoying the opportunity to do a few things mostly foreign to someone whose previous summers essentially involved all baseball, all the time.

"I've gotten to spend time with my family, I've gotten to spend time with my friends, I gotten to play a lot of golf -- I love doing that -- and it's been nice to do those kind of things," Barnhart said. "But it's getting to the point now where I want to go and do what I've done every summer before this one, since I can remember, and go play baseball."

Perhaps the writer misunderstood where Barnhart may land. I would think as a high school player, he'd start with the GCL Reds. Maybe the kid mentioned Sarasota and the writer assumed he meant the High A club.

[Edd Roush]

Originally Posted by redsmetz

Here's the story:



Perhaps the writer misunderstood where Barnhart may land. I would think as a high school player, he'd start with the GCL Reds. Maybe the kid mentioned Sarasota and the writer assumed he meant the High A club.

Thanks for posting the story, redsmetz. I am very happy that it looks like Barnhart to the Reds is going to happen. I also agree that it makes no sense that they would send him high A to sit behind Mesoraco. I am really glad this past draft has infused some major catching talent into the organization. Let's get Boxburger and Leake signed and this will be a very successful draft.

I'm still crossing my fingers for one of the Miami shortstops.

[medford]

I wonder why MLB wants to wait until closer to the signing deadline to approve above slot deals? There's got to be something more to it in the greater picture, as it would seem to make sense that if you're going to approve a deal, you'd want any prospect in the minors as quickly as possible.

anyhoo, I'm hoping that writer just made a mistake about the High A vs GCL reds. It would be one thing to have him start out in Dayton next season if he shows he's ready, its a completely different thing to have him start out in High A ball this season. I doubt Mes would appreciate that very much, which leads me to believe the writer didn't do his homework and redsmetz is correct.

Any word on the signings of the top 2 picks? I thought their deals were close to being done? I get the impression they dont plan to pitch either of them very much, if at all this year, but hope there are no last minute snags in the way.

[Doc. Scott]

Ricky Bowen (43rd round) is on the Billings roster, so you can mark him signed.

[Grande Donkey]

edit: I was more that a little late....

[OnBaseMachine]

Barnhart's deal probably would've been approved a month ago if it was the Yankees or some other big market team. Way to screw the kid out of valuable playing time Bud.

[RED VAN HOT]

Originally Posted by Edd Roush

I'm still crossing my fingers for one of the Miami shortstops.

..and, of course, the monster.

[flyer85]

Originally Posted by Edd Roush

Can you summarize what this says? The firewall at work is blocking it. Thanks.

he has agreed to a deal, it is well above slot(10th round) and MLB generally doesn't approve those until closer to the deadline. The expectation is that he will be signed not to long after the trading deadline and report to Sarasota.

[IslandRed]

Originally Posted by medford

I wonder why MLB wants to wait until closer to the signing deadline to approve above slot deals? There's got to be something more to it in the greater picture, as it would seem to make sense that if you're going to approve a deal, you'd want any prospect in the minors as quickly as possible.

They hide the above-slot deals until the last minute because they don't want everyone else's tenth-rounder pegging off that number in negotiations.

[redsmetz]

I emailed the Indy Star reporter and he said it was his mistake and he was fixing it. Here's the updated version:

After that, Barnhart said he is "99 percent sure" he will report to the Reds' rookie-league affiliate in Sarasota, Fla. (the other one percent would be to their rookie-level team in Billings, Mont.). Barnhart expects to remain a catcher with his quasi-hometown franchise.

[Mario-Rijo]

So if above slot deals are done closer to the deadline and in august then I guess we didn't sign anyone else to over slot deals already?

[Edd Roush]

Originally Posted by redsmetz

I emailed the Indy Star reporter and he said it was his mistake and he was fixing it. Here's the updated version:

After that, Barnhart said he is "99 percent sure" he will report to the Reds' rookie-league affiliate in Sarasota, Fla. (the other one percent would be to their rookie-level team in Billings, Mont.). Barnhart expects to remain a catcher with his quasi-hometown franchise.

Thanks, man. How much longer does the GCL season go? I know most minor league regular seasons end at the end of August. If he wasn't approved until August 17th, does that mean he would only get 2 weeks of PT? If so, Bud sitting on his deal is ridiculous. It is now a common fact that he will sign for 4th round money, any agent who was going to use Barnhart as a peg now has this information whether Bud is sitting on it or not. Let the kid play, Bud.

[SoTxRedsFan]

I hate bud..

[redsmetz]

Originally Posted by Edd Roush

Thanks, man. How much longer does the GCL season go? I know most minor league regular seasons end at the end of August. If he wasn't approved until August 17th, does that mean he would only get 2 weeks of PT? If so, Bud sitting on his deal is ridiculous. It is now a common fact that he will sign for 4th round money, any agent who was going to use Barnhart as a peg now has this information whether Bud is sitting on it or not. Let the kid play, Bud.

According to their website, the regular season goes until the end of August. Someone can correct me, but don't we have some sort of development program going on down there after the season (similar to "extended spring training")?

It really is a shame that informal system holds back a kid like Barnhart. I would guess that this may be addressed in the next contract.

[bubbachunk]

Originally Posted by Edd Roush

Can you summarize what this says? The firewall at work is blocking it. Thanks.

That he is still waiting for the commissioners office to approve the contract.