20 August 2008

Posey leads ex-Cape Leaguers with $6.2 million contract

By Staff reports
REGIONAL -

Florida State’s All-Everything catcherGerald “Buster” Posey, who helped lead the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox to two straight Cape Cod Baseball League championships, became a multimillionaire Friday night when he signed a record $6.2-million contract with the San Francisco Giants, who made him their No. 1 pick, fifth over-all, in the June 5 amateur entry draft.

Also waiting until the last minute to sign was first baseman Yonder Alonso (Brewster 2007), who was chosen seventh by the Cincinnati Reds. Alonso was one of only two first-rounders to receive a Major League contract. It was valued at $4.55 million and included a $2-million signing bonus.

Posey and the Giants barely managed to complete the deal before Friday’s midnight deadline, after which unsigned players with college eligibility remaining are free to return to school and await next year’s amateur draft. The down-to-the-wire negotiations paid off big time for the 6-2, 200-pound converted shortstop because he received the highest signing bonus of any player in the draft.

It was also the largest signing bonus ever paid by the Giants to an amateur player, blowing away the previous mark of $2.55 million that went to Dominican outfielder Rafael Ramirez last month.

Posey captured virtually every award for which he was eligible this spring. He was selected to several All-America and Academic All-America teams, was named Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year and led the NCAA in batting average (.472), on-base percentage (.572) and slugging percentage (.908). Showing great versatility, he also led FSU with six saves and did not give up an earned run in eight appearances. In May, he played all nine positions in one game and punctuated the performance by hitting a grand slam.

His most recent honor was the Golden Spikes Award as the nation’s No. 1 amateur baseball player.

The Giants are counting on Posey as a key component in their rebuilding effort in the post-Barry Bonds era. They’re hoping he will be able to reach the Major League level quickly, noting that their current catcher, Bengie Molina, becomes a free agent after next season.

At Yarmouth-Dennis, Posey enjoyed two All-Star seasons, first as a shortstop and then as a catcher. He batted .289 with eight doubles, two home runs and 16 RBI in 2006 and was one of just four players to appear in all 44 games. He finished second in the league with 46 hits. In 2007, he picked up right where he left off. This time around, he hit .281, with three doubles, four homers and 19 RBI. He was behind the plate for 31 games, played first base in three and the outfield for two.

Gordon Beckham (Y-D 2007), the Chicago White Sox’ first-round pick and the eighth player selected over-all, collected a reported $2.6-million bonus. Beckham, who played mostly at shortstop for Y-D, was an East Division All-Star and All-League infielder who led the Cape League in home runs (9), RBI (35) and total bases (82) while compiling a .284 batting average.

Catcher Jason Castro (Y-D 2007) signed with the Houston Astros for $2.07 million.

Former Cotuit Kettleers Justin Smoak (2006) and Reese Havens (2006-07) also signed with the Texas Rangers and New York Mets respectively.

Missouri right-handed pitcher Aaron Crow (Falmouth 2007) and Georgia right-hander Joshua Field (Y-D 2006) are the only two ex-Cape Leaguers drafted in the first round who remain unsigned.

CAPE COD BASEBALL LEAGUE’S 2008 FIRST-ROUND DRAFT CHOICES

Num Name Pos CCBL Team College MLB Team $$ Milliions

5 Buster Posey C Y-D ’06-07 Florida State Giants $6.2
7 x Yonder Alonso 1B Brewster ’07 Miami Reds $4.55

8 Gordon Beckham SS Y-D ’07 Georgia White Sox $2.6

9 Aaron Crow P Falmouth ’07 Missouri Nationals Unsigned 

10 Jason Castro C Y-D ’07 Stanford Astros $2.07

11 Justin Smoak 1B Cotuit ’06 S. Carolina Rangers $3.5
13 Brett Wallace 3B Falmouth ’06 Arizona State Cardinals $1.84

17 David Cooper 1B Brewster ’06-07 Cal-Berkeley Blue Jays $1.5

18 Ike Davis 1B Wareham ’07 Arizona St Mets $1.5

20 y Joshua Field RHP Y-D ’06 Georgia Mariners Unsigned 

21 Ryan Perry RHP Orleans ’07 Arizona Tigers $1.48

22 Reese Havens SS Cotuit ’06-07 South Carolina Mets $1.42

23 Allan Dykstra 1B Chatham ’06-07 Wake Forest Padres $1.15

25 Christian Friedrich LHP Falmouth ’07 E. Kentucky Rockies $1.35

$$ in millions
x-Signed 5-year Major League contract.
y-No eligibility remaining; can sign anytime.