2009 MLB Draft picks get record contracts
The Washington Nationals signed rookie pitcher, and 2009 first overall draft pick, Stephen Strasburg, to a four year 15.67 million dollar deal with a 7.5 million dollar signing bonus. Strasburg is a 18 year old Right handed pitcher who has a 103 mile per hour fastball. This is by far the largest deal ever given to a rookie pitcher. The question becomes is he really worth it?
For the Nationals he just may be, after they failed to sign 2008 first round pick (9th overall) Aaron Crow the nationals needed to get this kid signed. They desperately need a face of their franchise and a proactive way to stop being the joke of Major League Baseball. Remember this is a team that took the field earlier this season without a O sewn in the their jerseys.
Recent MLB draft history suggest that Strasburg and his big contract will end up as a average MLB pitcher at best. Rarely do these phenom pitchers come into the league and dominate. Detroit Tigers Rick Porcello is a notable exception to this rule.
Of course the Nationals were not the only team spending big money on draft picks at last night’s deadline to sign. The Seattle Mariners spent 7.5 million to sign outfielder Dustin Ackley. Ackley was the 2nd overall pick in this year’s draft. The San Diego Padres spent 6.25 million dollars to sign third overall pick OF Donovan Tate. The Detroit Tigers also signed 9th overall pick, RHP Jacob Turner to a 5.5 million dollar deal.
