THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,580 MLB PLAYERS | 16,376 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,580 MLB PLAYERS | 16,376 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Sign in Create Account
Sign in Create Account
General  | Top Ten | 8/15/2008

Rash of Major League Deals Loom

Allan Simpson
The signing deadline for the 2008 draft (Friday, 11:59 p.m.) is at hand and it could present some last-minute drama as 10 first-round picks, including five of the first seven selections, remained unsigned entering the final day. A number of prominent later-round picks are also hanging in the balance.

It’s anticipated that all but possibly one or two of the first-round picks will come to terms before the deadline, but negotiations with most are certain to become hot and heavy—if not tricky and complicated—before it’s all said and done.

Most clubs remain unwilling to hand out bonuses to their unsigned picks that are significantly above the slot amounts recommended by the commissioner’s office, and it’s anticipated that a number of the unsigned first-rounders, in particular, will end up signing major league contracts—a fallback option that has been utilized by teams throughout the draft’s 44-year history to minimize the immediate financial hit.

Most clubs remain unwilling to hand out bonuses to their unsigned picks that are significantly above the slot amounts recommended by the commissioner’s office, and it’s anticipated that a number of the unsigned first-rounders, in particular, will end up signing major league contracts—a fallback option that has been utilized by teams throughout the draft’s 44-year history to minimize the immediate financial hit.

A standard minor league contract that virtually all draft picks sign requires the signing bonus to be paid in full by the next calendar year—and teams typically pay half the amount upon approval of the contract, half the following January—but teams can lessen the burden by spreading out the bonus obligation over several years by signing players to major league deals. A second addendum to the standard bonus rule allows teams to spread out bonus payments over a five-year period to two-sport stars, done in large part to dissuade athletes to bolt for their second sport after they’ve received their full signing bonus. A number of 2008 draft picks have already signed such deals, notably Boston first-rounder Casey Kelly, the 30th overall pick who signed for $3 million (still the second largest bonus paid out so far).

To date, no major league contracts have been signed by 2008 draft picks. But there have been at least two major league contracts handed out ever year since 1998 and there were four awarded in 2007, including first-round pick David Price. Tampa Bay committed $8.5 million in bonuses and contract guarantees to Price, with additional incentives that could drive the total value of the contract to $11.25 million.

Of particular interest this year are the negotiations involving Pedro Alvarez (Pirates), Yonder Alonso (Reds) and Aaron Crow (Nationals), all college selections drafted in the first 10 picks.

Alvarez, the second overall selection, is in position to sign the largest bonus in this year’s draft—an ironic twist considering Pirates president Frank Coonelly previously was employed by the commissioner’s office and was charged with implementing and overseeing a de-facto bonus slotting system that discouraged teams from paying over-slot bonuses for fear of drawing the ire of that office. Alvarez, represented by hard-line agent Scott Boras, is poised to receive a major league contract and a financial package that could approach eight figures.

Alonso (seventh overall) and Crow (ninth overall) are also reported to be seeking hefty major league contracts, and have gone so far as to sign or threaten to sign deals with independent league clubs—both to leverage their situation with the deadline at hand, and provide an opportunity to play in the event they are not signed and will be forced to go back into next year’s draft. Crow signed with the American Association’s Fort Worth Cats, which prevents him from returning to the University of Missouri for his senior year. Crow could begin pitching for the Cats immediately, and by signing by the American Association’s own Aug. 15 deadline he would be eligible to pitch in post-season play.

Alonso has indicated he would sign with a team in the independent Atlantic League if the Reds do not meet his demands of a major league deal and financial package significantly above the $2.3 million slot earmarked for the seventh pick.
In addition to Alvarez, Alonso and Crow, it’s expected that three other college-developed players—Brian Matusz (Orioles, fourth overall), Buster Posey (Giants, fifth overall) and Justin Smoak (Rangers, 11th overall)—may also be extended major league deals. Two prominent high school first-rounders—Eric Hosmer (Royals, third overall) and Gerrit Cole (Yankees, 28th overall)—remain unsigned as well, and they will be handsomely compensated if they sign, but it’s unclear whether major league deals are in the offing for them.


When all the dust has settled, it’s possible that a record number of major league deals could be signed out of this year’s draft. The existing mark was set in 1975, when six draft picks agreed to major league contracts, including No. 1 overall pick Danny Goodwin (Angels). Ironically, the first round of the ’75 draft was regarded as possibly the most unproductive first round ever. On the accompanying top 10 list, we’ve highlighted some of the more prominent or intriguing major league contracts signed in draft history.

While it remains to be seen whether some fascinating major league deals will come out of this year’s draft, the fate of two more 2008 first-round draft picks—Josh Fields (Mariners, 20th overall) and Allan Dykstra (Padres, 23rd overall)—is also intriguing, though for different reasons. Fields was a senior this year at the University of Georgia, and the Aug. 15 signing deadline does not apply to college seniors. He could continue to negotiate with the Mariners until a week before next year’s draft. Dykstra had agreed in principle to a $1.4 million deal with the Padres in June, but a routine physical revealed a degenerative hip condition and that has held up the deal. It’s expected that Dykstra will either sign for a fraction of the original deal or return to Wake Forest for his senior year.

A complete list of bonus payments in the first 10 rounds,, along with the signing status of every team’s draft picks (and the college the unsigned players are scheduled to attend), is available elsewhere on the PG Crosschecker site. We'll continue to update the site as player signings (and bonus amounts) become availible.

In the meantime and in keeping with the rash of major league deals that could be consummated on the eve of the signing deadline, here’s our take on the most fascinating major league deals signed by drafted players (guaranteed amount of contract, including signing bonus, noted):
Rank Player Pos. School Drafted by (Round) Bonus *Package
1 Mark Prior RHP Southern California Cubs '01 (1) $4,000,000 $10,500,000
  The “best college pitcher ever” received the largest package deal in draft history as No. 2 overall selection in 2001
2 Bo Jackson OF Auburn Royals '86 (4) $100,000 $1,066,000
  In one of the draft’s great coups, Royals dug deep to buy Jackson away (temporarily) from promising NFL career
3 Bob Horner 3B Arizona Braves '78 (1) $162,000 $183,000
  Horner justified his contract by being selected National League Rookie of the Year in same year he was drafted
4 Todd Van Poppel RHP Martin HS, Arlington Athletics '90 (1) $500,000 $1,200,000
  Braves weren’t prepared to meet Van Poppel’s price tag, and compromised on Chipper Jones as top pick in ’90 draft
5 David Clyde LHP Westchester HS, Houston Rangers '73 (1) $65,000 $87,500
  Nation’s all-time prep strikeout leader, top ’73 pick drew sellout crowd in his debut, literally saving Rangers franchise
6 Mark Teixeira 1B Georgia Tech Rangers '01 (1) $4,500,000 $9,500,000
  Second-largest major league deal ever signed was overshadowed because he signed on same day as Prior
7 J.D. Drew OF St. Paul (Northern) Cardinals '98 (1) $3,000,000 $7,000,000
  A year after snubbing Phillies as second overall pick and signing independent league deal, Drew hit paydirt with Cards
8 David Espinosa SS Gulliver Prep, Miami Reds '00 (1) None $2,950,000
  Cash-strapped Reds couldn’t afford to sign Espinosa, so got creative and used credit card to defer full $3 million
9 Rick Porcello RHP Seton Hall Prep, West Orange, N.J. Tigers '07 (1) $3,580,000 $7,000,000
  Porcello slid in ’07 draft as teams weren’t prepared to meet bonus demands, but Tigers stepped to plate with big deal
10 Jace Brewer SS Baylor Devil Rays '00 (5) $450,000 $1,200,000
  Despite being just a fifth-rounder, Rays were determined to sign Brewer and unwisely spent $1.2 million to do so
*Includes guaranteed amount of contract (including bonus, salary, incentives)
--ALLAN SIMPSON
Give us your feedback
General | Blog | 6/16/2026

Wolforth Throwing Mentorship: Article 66
Ron Wolforth
Article Image
  The Number That Just Killed MLB Expansion: 1,217   USA Today's Bob Nightengale dropped a bomb shell recently that the baseball world is still digesting. Major League Baseball wants to expand to 32 teams. Team executives are quietly opposing it and the reason has nothing to do with cities or money.   They cannot find enough healthy pitchers.   Between 2020 and 2024, professional baseball performed 1,026 Tommy John surgeries at the minor-league level alone. Another 191 at the Major League level. More than twelve hundred elbow reconstructions in five years on the best young pitchers in the world.   That is not bad luck. That is a system reporting a verdict on itself.   For fifteen years, the youth-baseball industry has chased one number: velocity significantly more than projectability and arm care.    Recruiters scout by it.    Social...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/27/2026

15u South World Series Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Jacob Ramirez (‘29 TX) all over it again today as he sends this ball into the parking lot for a 2-run 💣! Been seeing it awfully well all week with serious bat speed. Dude can play. #SouthWS https://t.co/rXRRJTbpoZ pic.twitter.com/CpBZklwxnN — Perfect Game Texas (@Texas_PG) July 25, 2026 Jacob Ramirez (2029, Santa Fe, Texas) had one of the strongest showings on the week for Texas Twelve Red Sox helping lead his team to a championship victory while taking home MVP honors. Ramirez was simply put, all over the barrel and worked some of the best at-bats of the tournament. Ramirez is a highly athletic short stop who was a main stay out there while looking the part. He made most plays his way while showing good hands and footwork around the ball with lateral range getting to balls with ease. Athleticism really shined on the dirt throughout the week. In the box, Ramirez finished the...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/24/2026

15u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 7

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Carter Nash (2029, Moore, S.C.) was all over the barrel for ZT National Prospects 15u. The right-handed hitter starts from a medium stance with in-line feet and a high handset with a high back elbow, utilizes a low leg lift trigger. Creates separation in the back shoulder and flips the hips with quick hands from a slightly uphill bat plane and good bat speed. Easy juice and strength present in the 5-foot-11, 201-pound frame with feel to impact and drive the ball. Showed the feel to let the ball travel and get deep and showed the hand speed to create barrel whip out front and drive the ball consistently to the backside. Solid range and showed solid arm strength out in center field defensively. The outfielder collected three extra base hits with two doubles and a triple to drive in an RBI and worked two walks. Nash ended the event with eight hits, including four doubles, a triple and two...
Read More
Draft | Story | 7/25/2026

2026 MLB Draft: Surprises

Tyler Henninger
Article Image
Historic Lack of Arms Early On Going into the draft we knew that the pitching at the very top of the board was going to be light, but we still had 11 arms ranked in the Top-30 of our final board. Jackson Flora separated himself from the pack and looked like a sure-fire Top-5 pick going in and that came true. But following him we saw an all-time historic lack of arms taken. Flora was the only pitcher selected within the first 15 picks, something that has never happened in the history of the draft. There were only three pitchers selected in the Top-20 which is tied for the fewest ever in draft history. Inconsistent performances and a handful of injuries did thin the potential arms at the top of the board and teams clearly valued the bats over the arms early on, but seeing the lack of arms reach a historic low was a surprise. Carson Wiggins Goes 27th Overall The Mets arguably had the most...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/24/2026

PG East World Series Preview

Will Dembo
Article Image
As the summer travel baseball season comes to an end, over 80 teams will meet in East Cobb, Georgia as they look to end the year with a victory and a trophy at the PG East World Series. The premier event will host 5 age groups of 14u-18u with pool play commencing the tournament on Friday, July 24th, with champions crowned on Monday, July 27th at East Cobb Baseball Complex. The 15u field will feature 26 teams from all over the southeast, including the No. 27 team in the nation from the 14u rankings, Home Plate Chili Dogs 14u Glozier. The Chili Dogs, who also played up in the 15u WWBA last week for increased exposure, have been a very solid team this summer, but are still in search of their first championship win of the season. Another highly touted team looking to challenge them is USA Scout Team Nike, who is another 14u squad who will play against more mature competition for their 15u...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/24/2026

16u BCS Scout Notes: Day 1

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Kase Nickerson (2028, Branford, FL) put together a standout day at the plate for day 1 of BCS. Hit 3 home runs and a double over 2 games and 6 at-bats. Easily the top offensive performance on the day. Ability to consistently get a swing with intent on the baseball stands out. Jumped onto the radar as a prospect to watch today.   Chase Tucholski (2028, Quakertown, PA) had a standout first game at BCS on Thursday. Had 2 hits including a home run and 5 RBI. A physical right-handed hitter with the strength to drive the baseball out to all fields. Hit the home run over the 385 sign in left centerfield. There’s definite future run producing traits here. Will be a player to watch for the rest of the week.    Carter Reis (2028, Orlando, FL) showed intriguing arm talent from the left side in a relief outing. Was up to 88 with the fastball that had burst out of the hand. Spun...
Read More
College | Story | 7/24/2026

Cape Cod League Notebook: July 24

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Luke Costello | INF | South Carolina | Bourne Braves  Costello brings one of the cleaner offensive operations in the Cape, featuring a simple, direct swing that allows him to consistently get the barrel out front and do damage. He minimizes unnecessary movement, stays on time, and shows the strength to impact the baseball with authority. After a very productive spring hitting .302 with 17 home runs during his sophomore season at Wake Forest, Costello heads to South Carolina as an established middle-of-the-order bat. His combination of present power, offensive consistency, and polished approach should translate well against SEC pitching.     A look at Terry Hayes Jr (@OleMissBSB) lived 92-94 on the FB showed a CT at 88-90, SL at 82-84 and a really good CB at 78-81. @ChathamAnglers So./‘26 elig pic.twitter.com/vbsYWF2IcY — PG College Baseball (@PGCollegeBall)...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/23/2026

A Look Ahead: 16U PG West WS

Emily Hicks
Article Image
Another exciting week of Perfect Game baseball is on the horizon as the 16U PG West World Series brings together some of the top travel baseball programs for a highly competitive tournament. Taking place July 23 - 26 at Riverview Complex in Mesa, AZ, the event will feature talented teams looking to make a statement as they compete for one of the summer's most prestigious titles. The tournament will welcome clubs from across the West, creating a talented field filled with nationally recognized organizations, rising contenders, and some of the top 16U prospects in the country. Throughout pool play and the championship bracket, every game will provide an opportunity for teams to showcase their talent while pursuing a World Series championship. With high-level competition expected throughout the week, fans can look forward to quality pitching, explosive offenses, and outstanding defensive...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/23/2026

Battle For The Midwest Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Gavin Johnson (2029, De Pere, Wisc.) handled the bat pretty well this weekend for his CBT Wolfpack 15u team that made a run into bracket play. Johnson is a left-handed hitting first baseman with a physical 6-foot-1, 200-pound frame, showing good physicality throughout the build. It’s a clean stroke from the left side, with feel to deliver the barrel on time and drive the ball working pull-side. He has a feel to rotate well, loading deep with the hands & turning well through contact to impact the baseball out in front. Johnson tallied four hits on the weekend, including 2 doubles and a triple. He plated 3 runs as well.   Devon Hester (2029, Chicago, Ill.) had a heck of a weekend for Chicago White Sox Ace 2029 Hunt. He showed out on both sides of the ball this past weekend, really getting it done at the plate. He finished the weekend 7-for-15, with a double and 4 RBI to...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/23/2026

UBC Midwest X Atlantic Notes: Part 2

Jordan Gates
Article Image
UBC Midwest X Atlantic Notes: Part 1 ‘27 RHP Alexander Kakach (MN) displayed present arm strength and some feel to spin. The #Creighton commit was up to 93 mph with the FB (89-93), while the SL showed two plane break at 79-84 mph. Mixed in CT at 84-86 with tight action in the zone. #UBCMW @MNIcemen @PG_WiscMinn pic.twitter.com/TlrOnNDIcd — Perfect Game Illinois (@PG_Illinois) July 18, 2026 Alexander Kakach (2027, Plymouth, Minn.) of MN Icemen 17U Gominsky displayed intriguing upside on the mound, striking out five over 4.0 innings while running the fastball up to 93 mph with ride. The 6-foot, 180-pound right-hander and Creighton commit paired the fastball with a low-80s slider that flashed two-plane break and a cutter that played well off the mix. Kakach worked with a loose, quick arm from a high three-quarter slot, creating quality movement across his mix while displaying...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 7/23/2026

15u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 6

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
15u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 Brycen Orcutt (‘29, WV) was dominant to open his outing, tossing five innings of shutout ball thus far, striking out nine. Got the FB up to 85 w/ feel to land a tight + sharp two-plane BB. #WWBA @PG_VirginiaWV pic.twitter.com/Yjm2IbufqU — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 21, 2026 Brycen Orcutt (’29, South Charleston, WV) has put together a strong event on both sides of the ball, posting a 1.458 OPS at the plate thus far, including a pair of doubles and three driven in. On the mound, Orcutt has logged a pair of starts, totaling 11.1 innings of shutout ball, striking out 15. The West Virginia native operates from a medium right-handed frame with a bit of length and lower half strength. He starts above the belt, working into an over-the-head windup before utilizing a medium direct leg lift, firing down...
Read More
Loading more articles...
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2026 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.