True to his post-draft interviews, Giants 2011 first round pick, Joe Panik, signed almost immediately. I saw first at Schulman but Baggarly had the slot money info, $1.1M approximately. Schulman noted he will report to Salem-Keizer on Friday (Baggarly noted soon). Baggarly happened to see him in the dugout and, just as I saw in an interview with Panik post-draft, "he's ecstatic to begin his pro career."
That's what I would love to see in the guys we draft normally, though I suspect part of the reason he signed fast was because he was considered a supplemental first round pick, and could have slipped, but because the Giants signed him ahead of where most had him going (however, Perfect Game thought he might even be the first middle infielders to be drafted, so there were some who thought he was right where he should be). Sign quickly, get into the minors immediately, start working up the minors. Especially the college players, they are already a bit old to be a top prospect and starting up in A or lower. Though, of course, there is the risk that they fail and should have held out for the more money, so I understand holding out too.
In any case, he is signed and will soon be playing for the Giants.
Go Giants!!!
I'm excited to see a first round draft pick start the Short Season on time. I can't remember the last time that happened! Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteI know, I totally agree!
ReplyDeleteWas it maybe Matt Cain? Don't recall Lowry, but Hennessey had some sort of tumor that they found immediately so I know he didn't. Then there were the years we didn't have a first round pick...
No, Cainer got in just a few innings at the end of the Arizona Rookie league season. He didn't really make his debut until Low A Hagerstown the following season.
ReplyDeleteActually Cain played in a little more than half the AZL rookie league after being drafted. He actually signed barely two weeks after the draft (signing on June 26, 2002). He pitched in 8 games that season, though they kept his innings severely limited (only 19.1 IP in 8 games, with 7 starts!). The only players on that team who started more games than Cain were Jesse English, Osiris matos and Daniel Portorreal.
ReplyDeleteI expect Panik to get in a whole lot more work than the equivalent of what Matt Cain got in the AZL and it will be at a higher level. I think Will Clark got in some significant time in the Cal League the same year as the draft. Since then, I don't think anything comparable has happened. Timmy signed pretty quickly and got into some Cal League games, so maybe him.
ReplyDeleteNice interview with Panik at a Mets blog:
ReplyDeletePart 1: http://7traintoshea.com/?p=5896
Part 2: http://7traintoshea.com/?p=5905
I especially loved the answer near the end of Part 1, about why he signed quickly, I think the exact same thing, while quibble over the small amount of money when you are delaying your development to make the majors.
I understand the desire to get every single dollar you feel you are owed, particularly with the sad success rate of draftees doing well in the majors, but in my mind, if you are confident, those two extra months will get you to the majors at least two months earlier, and that covers most of the money you missed out by negotiating and signing at the last minute.