Bryant, Cubs agree to terms in nick of time
The Cubs can pretty much give it a “mission accomplished” when it comes to their amateur draft for 2013.
Two days before the deadline to sign drafted players, the team on Wednesday reached agreement with their No. 1 pick, third baseman Kris Bryant, out of the University of San Diego.
Sources said the signing bonus was $6.7 million, or the “slot” money for the second pick overall. Pitcher Mark Appel, the No. 1 pick overall, received a $6.3 million bonus from the Houston Astros.
Bryant took his physical exam Wednesday, and it’s likely he’ll be introduced to the media Friday at Wrigley Field.
The Cubs have signed each of their top 10 picks from this year’s draft, and coupled with their international signings, the farm system looks to be bolstered significantly.
Bryant, 20, batted .329 with 31 home runs and 62 RBI in 62 games for San Diego this past season. The 31 homers led the nation and are a school record.
The Cubs will send Bryant to their spring facility in Mesa, Ariz., to get back into game shape before they assign him to a club. Bryant may play for the Cubs’ Rookie league team in Mesa, or he may begin at Class A Boise of the Northwest League. From there, it’s possible he could join the Class A Kane County Cougars at some point later this summer.
Baker getting closer:Right-hander Scott Baker will join the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Thursday after throwing simulated games in Arizona, with his most recent coming Tuesday. Baker signed a free-agent deal with the Cubs last off-season. He was coming off Tommy John surgery, performed in April 2012 while he was with the Twins. After his only spring-training appearance with the Cubs in March, he suffered a setback with the elbow and was shut down. Baker will throw a bullpen session for pitching coach Chris Bosio. He#146;ll be evaluated after that, and if all goes well, he#146;ll begin a minor-league rehab assignment, most likely at Kane County. The Cubs signed Baker for $5.5 million. They won#146;t get much for that this year, but general manager Jed Hoyer said it#146;s possible they#146;d be interested in having him back. #147;It#146;s something we#146;ve certainly talked about,#148; Hoyer said. #147;He#146;s a fantastic person, a really good teammate. We won#146;t get ahead of ourselves. We#146;ll see how things go. He#146;s certainly the kind of guy you like to have in the organization, for sure.#148;Bogusevic tests it:Outfielder Brian Bogusevic ran hard on the bases Wednesday afternoon as he tested his tight left hamstring, an injury he suffered last week in Oakland. Bogusevic is likely to be ready to start tonight#146;s series opener vs. St. Louis.BBO23851527Los Angeles AngelsÂ’ Josh Hamilton follows through on a three-run home run off Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija during the first inning of an interleague baseball game Wednesday, July 10, 2013, in Chicago. Associated PressBBO