Monday, August 17, 2009

Rays not hopeful of signing top draft picks

The Rays don't expect to sign their top two picks from this year's draft by tonight's deadline, the team says in a release. The signing deadline is 11 p.m. Central today.

First-rounder LeVon Washington, a high school outfielder from Gainesville, Fla., was the 30th overall pick and appears headed to the University of Florida. He's being advised by Scott Boras.

"We are disappointed that LeVon has chosen not to sign with the Rays,” Rays general manager Andrew Friedman said in a statement. “We offered him a bonus consistent with late-first round picks. Immediately following the draft, he seemed eager to sign, but it has not materialized. We wish LeVon great success with his baseball career.”

Second-rounder Kenny Diekroeger, a high school shortstop from Atherton, Calif., was the 78th overall pick and had signed with Stanford.

"When we drafted Kenny, we went in with our eyes wide open, knowing he had a strong desire to attend Stanford University,” Friedman said. “We knew that we would either be signing a top talent or receiving a comparable pick in the 2010 draft. We wish Kenny all the best at Stanford.”

The Rays will receive an additional first- and second-round pick in next year's draft as compensation.

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