Baseball Musings
Baseball Musings
August 08, 2008
Number Three

Sam Mellinger runs down the Royals options as the deadline approaches for signing Eric Hosmer, the third overall pick in this year's draft.

There's a little bit of a different feeling around Hosmer, who some think might be more willing to play college ball. Boras has always been a proponent of guys going to college. Some think that's just a negotiating position, and maybe it is to an extent, but I also think he believes it.

There's also the safety net that the Royals have built for themselves with fourth-round pick Tim Melville. A high school pitcher from suburban St. Louis, Melville is considered by many a first-round talent who slid mostly because of signability questions.

In a stark contrast to recent history (and another sign that this organization is moving in the right direction), the Royals took a chance on Melville and all signs are that a deal will be announced before the deadline.

If Hosmer went unsigned, the Royals would still get a first-round caliber talent out of this draft, plus have a compensation pick next year (either fourth or fifth, depending on if the Pirates sign No. 2 overall pick Pedro Alvarez), so it's not an absolute do-or-die.

Of course, getting both in the system makes the Royals better that much sooner.


Posted by David Pinto at 10:28 AM | Draft | TrackBack (0)
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