Dodgers Sign Zach Lee
by Eric Stephen on Aug 16, 2010 9:43 PM PDT
in Draft
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PrintThe Dodgers brought a bit of good news tonight, signing their first round pick, Zach Lee away from LSU, where he was to play quarterback. Per Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times:
Zach Lee got a $5.25MM bonus from the #Dodgers. Payments will be spread over 5 years.
"I’m ecstatic for Zach, his family and for the entire Dodger organization," said Dodgers Assistant General Manager, Scouting Logan White. "We’re bringing an outstanding talent into the fold. I have tremendous confidence in this young man and it’s clear that he signed because he has a lot of faith in the Dodgers and in their tradition of developing young pitchers."
The 18-year-old won 11 games with a 2.15 ERA and 90 strikeouts during his senior season at McKinney High and throws three different pitches for strikes, including an effective breaking pitch and changeup. Lee entered the draft as the 14th-best right-handed pitcher and ranked 29th overall among draft-eligible prospects according to Baseball America.
Lee, the 28th overall pick in this year's draft, signed a letter of intent to play football and baseball at LSU, but will now leave the school to concentrate solely on baseball. From the LSU Football Blog:
"This was a very personal decision for Zach and his family," Miles said. "This opportunity was just too difficult to pass up. We wish Zach and his family the very best. He’s an outstanding young man and we hope he develops into a great Major League pitcher."
The $5.25 million is the largest bonus ever given by the Dodgers, surpassing the $2.3 million given to seventh overall pick Clayton Kershaw in 2006.
Everybody Wang Chung tonight!
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Evil genius idea
The Dodgers rent out their services as a way for Boosters to launder money intended to get top prospects off rival rosters.
How would you define your approach to management, apart from being brilliant?
what are the odds
that if the Dodgers don’t make the playoffs, that Ned gets fired and we promote Ng or White?
Less than 5%. Frank loves Ned, and he was seen as “going for it” at the deadline.
Another losing season in 2011? That would be a different story.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 16, 2010 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't know the Dodger farm system nearly as well as a lot of you on the blog do
But is the class that will be coming to majors around 2013 anywhere near as good the “Jacksonville Five” one that debuted in ’06?
I think it’s still too early to tell on that.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 16, 2010 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions
After pitching Sunday, Strasburg was asked if he has any advice for Harper.
“If [Harper] wants to play here, he’s going to play here,” Strasburg said. “He doesn’t need advice from anybody to convince him otherwise. If he doesn’t want to play here, then we don’t want him here.”
Eric was probably right; he sounds like a dick.
Crash didn’t teach him the cliches
How would you define your approach to management, apart from being brilliant?
by Josie Becker on Aug 16, 2010 9:54 PM PDT up reply actions
But
That’s EXACTLY how a future team leader should talk. Especially when you know he’s going to be around for at least 6 years. If you’re with us, great. If you’re not with us, go fuck yourself.
Matt Kemp can make the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs.
I think the dick comment was about Harper...
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Aug 16, 2010 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions
he was quoting somebody, but its a general quote about baseball
“In this game, there are two kinds of people. Those who are humble, and those who are about to become humble.”
by Tommy Blackjack on Aug 16, 2010 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions
it was about Strasburg. But I don’t think he was necessarily a dick in this case, but was to a reporter at Dodger Stadium a few weeks back.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 16, 2010 10:19 PM PDT up reply actions
yea, I think he was being a good team leader this time
but didnt hear about what happened at Dodger Stadium… basic details if you have any please?
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Aug 16, 2010 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions
basically jumped down a reporter’s throat for doing his job, for no reason. The Nats are partially to blame, because they have set different rules for SS and media separate from the standard open clubhouse that is standard everywhere. The problem is, they implemented this strategy without telling anybody, which hung the reporter out to dry in this case.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 16, 2010 10:23 PM PDT up reply actions
ah
sounds like it was a dumb decision by the Nats to start and it turned into an even worse case scenario
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Aug 16, 2010 10:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Just to clarify, I didn’t like Strasburg’s “tone” in that quote.
Whatever, it doesn’t matter.
by silverwidow on Aug 16, 2010 10:28 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree with you to a point
since Strasburg himself didn’t sign until the last minute last year, just like Harper, so he really is in no position to talk.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 16, 2010 10:30 PM PDT up reply actions
well, thats what we think
he couldve signed a while before, but it simply wasnt announced to keep the other bonuses down…
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Aug 16, 2010 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions
That would be collusion, and it would be like pulling over on Interstate 5 and three
separate gas stations brands have the exact same inflated price.
Bastards!!!
Dodgers make a big investment and a big bet.
Good for them. Sounds like Lee is a hell of a prospect, a guy worth going after. $5.25 million is a lot of money, though, so I hope it pays off.
The Omar Moreno of this blog
This, plus Logan said he could move fast if he signs (someone posted the quote in the last thread) and that he’s got quite a bit of polish for a HS arm.
I am fine with pushing him as long as he can handle it. You don’t need to promote him too quickly if he isn’t blowing people away.
I hope they start him in Great Lakes, with a taste of AA at the end of the year if he does well. Let him pitch 100-120 innings.
you mean next year, right?
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Aug 16, 2010 10:11 PM PDT up reply actions
ok, then yea, thats alright
But if he struggles, I dont wanna rush him
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Aug 16, 2010 10:13 PM PDT up reply actions
Strasburg didn’t get put on a fast track to the majors in the way Leake did, despite being a college pitcher with much more polish than Lee and amazing stuff. They may want to exercise some caution with this big of an investment.
Not the same way Leake was. And Strasburg has much better pure stuff and just as much polish. Strasburg could have been pitching for the Nationals on opening day. They chose to be very carefull with him because of his immense talent and his price tag (and you could argue the super two rules).
i dont know how this relates to zach lee
he’s not going to be up with the dodgers next year under any circumstances.
best case scenario
is the kershaw route
first half of 2011 in midwest league. second half in AA. AA to start in 2012…then dodgers end of 2012.
thats base case.
that said, With this type of investment, lee’s not going to get traded for the george sherrill of 2012 trading deadline.
I think 2013
they dont rush him although he could be ready in 2012 is my guess
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Aug 16, 2010 10:19 PM PDT up reply actions
disagree
Id rather have him take a few years and be great than be in the majors in 1 year and be meh
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Aug 16, 2010 9:56 PM PDT up reply actions
haha, my dog is great
he waits until 9:15 to start barking cause he needs to piss
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Aug 16, 2010 9:56 PM PDT reply actions
Lee gets the same amount as #3 pick
Manny Manchado(sp?). I wonder if Talison demanded more $$ when he found about the Lee deal, because details went from about 5M to about 6M lol
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Aug 16, 2010 10:00 PM PDT reply actions
Little known fact
Zach Lee is the nephew of former All-Star closer Lee Smith.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 16, 2010 10:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Tony Jackson corrupted by his ESPN tag? Glad to see Jon is standing his ground.
Matt Kemp can make the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs.
He’s been like this since before his ESPN days
by Michael White on Aug 17, 2010 7:39 AM PDT up reply actions
Broxton is on hiatus. He’ll be back. Kuo should not pitch two innings. He’s not someone you can ever expect to pitch back to back days so he can’t be a regular closer. On nights he’s available, you can use him as a one-inning closer and he’ll be great. Or you can use him in the 8th as usual. Just not both. Dotel should not be used as a closer, but for a late inning or so if he’s having a good night.
two weak singles and walk that could have been a strikeout doesn’t tell me Kuo can’t pitch two innings. This was just unlucky. I wish Joe would have left Kuo in to see what happened.
by robotmadeofnails on Aug 16, 2010 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions
did the dodgers sign any other players?
that lefty with the hard name to spell? epi…epi..epi something.
Full list of signed picks, from the Dodgers
Round (Overall) Player Pos. School DOB Club
1 (28) Zachary Lee RHP McKinney (TX) High School 9/13/91
2 (78) Ralston Cash RHP Lakeview Academy (GA) 8/20/91 AZL Dodgers
3 (109) Leon Landry OF Louisiana State University 9/20/89 Ogden
4 (142) James Baldwin III OF Pinecrest High School (NC) 10/10/91 AZL Dodgers
5 (172) Jake Lemmerman SS Duke University (NC) 5/4/89 Ogden
7 (232) Ryan Christenson LHP South Mountain CC (AZ) 1/11/89 Great Lakes
8 (262) Michael Dean 1B Louisiana State University 2/25/88 Ogden
9 (292) Steven Domecus OF Virginia Tech 6/29/87 Ogden
10 (322) Robert Coyle OF Fresno State University (CA) 3/6/89 Ogden
11 (352) Joc Pederson OF Palo Alto (CA) High School 4/21/92
12 (382) Matthew Kirkland 3B South Doyle High School (TN) 3/13/91 AZL Dodgers
13 (412) Jesse Bosnik SS St. Bonaventure University (NY) 7/23/88 Ogden
14 (442) Alex Mcree LHP University of Georgia 6/18/88 *retired
16 (502) Andrew Pevsner LHP Johns Hopkins University (MD) 10/15/88 Ogden
17 (532) Logan Bawcom RHP University of Texas Arlington 11/2/88 Ogden
21 (652) Noel Cuevas OF Inter American University (PR) 10/2/91 AZL Dodgers
23 (712) BJ Larosa C Bucknell University (PA) 4/28/88 AZL Dodgers
24 (742) Andrew Edge C Jacksonville State University ( AL ) 12/31/87 AZL Dodgers
25 (772) Jeremy Gilmore OF Coastal Carolina University (SC) 4/1/87 AZL Dodgers
26 (802) Scott Schebler OF Des Moines Area CC (IA) 10/6/90
27 (832) Yimy Quiepo-Rodriguez RHP Peru State College (NE) 9/1/87 AZL Dodgers
28 (862) Mike Drowne OF Sacred Heart University (CT) 7/28/88 AZL Dodgers
29 (892) John Patterson RHP Southwestern Oklahoma St. Univ. 5/11/87 Ogden
30 (922) Shawn Tolleson RHP Baylor University (TX) 1/19/88 Ogden
31 (952) Derek Cone RHP Mesa CC (AZ) 6/20/90 AZL Dodgers
32 (982) Devon Ethier OF Gateway CC (AZ) 6/4/90 AZL Dodgers
34 (1042) Joe Lincoln C Missouri Southern University 9/16/88 Ogden
35 (1072) Beau Brett 1B University of Southern California 7/14/90 AZL Dodgers
39 (1192) Steven Matre RHP College of Mount Saint Joseph (OH) 5/21/88 AZL Dodgers
46 (1402) Bret Montgomery RHP Cal. St. Dominguez Hills 8/6/85 Ogden
by Eric Stephen on Aug 16, 2010 10:14 PM PDT up reply actions
they added a lot of talent this year
when the class was rather weak. I <3 Logan White
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Aug 16, 2010 10:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Retired?
14 (442) Alex Mcree LHP University of Georgia 6/18/88 *retired
"Stop exploding you cowards!!!"
One Inning
Not much of a career. I wonder if he planned it that way.
Very nice to see you around, Jon!
by Eric Stephen on Aug 16, 2010 11:38 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Is it safe to say that the Dodgers had the best draft?
Or who is ahead of them.
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Aug 16, 2010 10:24 PM PDT reply actions
but is that it?
I mean, Harper made it a good draft, but did they add a lot of other talent as well? I also heard that the Pirates had a great draft, signing their 1st and 2nd rounder
by lakersdodgersyankees4life on Aug 16, 2010 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions
From Peter Gammons?
;-)
There's no need to fear, Underdog is here! / Broncos/Dodgers/Lakers fan in Niners/Raiders/Giants/Warriors country, and damned proud of it.
Love "Instant Karma"
Underrated Lennon: “Cold Turkey”, “How Do You Sleep?”
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Aug 16, 2010 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Quick question
If the Dodgers are still 10 games back by 2 weeks from now, and Kershaw had 17 ks in a 5-1 game going into the 9th with about 125 pitches or so, would anyone keep him in the game to see if he could get to 20 ks?
"Stop exploding you cowards!!!"
You're no fun :P
I did the opposite in my franchise with my young franchise pitcher on a royals team that had 60 wins in mid september…he didn’t get another k though :(
"Stop exploding you cowards!!!"
Great quotes from Logan White:
“He has an absolutely picture-perfect delivery and excellent arm action,’’ White said.”He is as pure as any pitcher I have ever seen. He has power stuff like Kershaw and Billingsley, but when those guys were younger, they would almost fight through a wall sometimes and try to overpower somebody, but they have grown and learned how to pitch more than just throw and be more effective with their pitch counts.
“I think Lee at the same age has a better feel for how to pitch than Chad or Clayton, and I don’t mean that to disparage them at all.’’
From Gurnick
“Zach Lee, at the same age, has better feel for pitching than Chad or Clayton. He can run it up to 95 [mph], but similar to [Atlanta’s] Jair Jurrjens against us the other night, he’ll be 89, 90 then 96 out of nowhere. He has a good feel for throwing. Things come easy to him, he’s a scratch golfer, a champion wrestler.”
by silverwidow on Aug 16, 2010 11:16 PM PDT up reply actions
He also doesn’t drink beer, but he did, he’d prefer Dos Equis.
by silverwidow on Aug 16, 2010 11:19 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
Rec'd anyway
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Aug 16, 2010 11:59 PM PDT up reply actions
Any shot Lee goes to AFL? I would go down there to watch that.
My first game http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN198604280.shtml
In the article above, it says he’s headed to Instructional League, which is different than the AFL.
by silverwidow on Aug 16, 2010 10:57 PM PDT up reply actions
White said Lee’s fastball touches 95 mph, but that he normally pitches in the 89-90 range, has a good breaking ball and a great changeup.
White hinted that Lee, who immediately will jump to the head of the pack as the Dodgers’ top pitching prospect, might not pitch for any of the club’s minor league affiliates this season, which makes sense given that all of those affiliates’ regular-season schedules will conclude within the next three weeks or so. But White said Lee will be ready to go by the time the Arizona Instructional League begins in the fall.
Apparently, Lee turned down a $2.25 million offer earlier Monday
I wonder what made the dodgers change their mind and up their offer to 5+ million.
Dodgers Spend Money; X Zach Lee
Does that work? “X” for signing, or making his mark?
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Beautiful
I wrestled with an exactly pun for some time but couldn’t make it work.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 17, 2010 6:35 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
A couple days ago, there was discussion about a nickname for the hot prospects in AA
Pardon me boys, but they’re the Chattanooga True Blue.
The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
by David Young on Aug 17, 2010 12:21 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
With the way Lee is being hyped.
He’s effectively the number one prospect in the system. You might rate Robinson or Sands higher, but on terms of pure talent, Zach Lee is higher.
No question
MLB Draft Report:
With above-average to plus stuff across the board — fastball, slider, changeup — good command and tremendous athleticsm, Lee should be one of the high school arms being mentioned up close to the top of the Draft, or at least on a short list of top high school arms. If he’s not, it’s largely because of one thing: signability. As a quarterback recruit, he’s committed to play two sports at LSU next year, and many think he’s unsignable as a result. That said, there’s bound to be a team with deep pockets that will take a shot at luring him away from the gridiron and life as a collegiate athlete.
The only weakness they point out was signability issues..
by Julio Nievas on Aug 17, 2010 1:12 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm as psyched as anybody
But his upside RIGHT NOW is a #2/#3. Projectability maybe #2, but people talking about Kershaw and shit is ridiculous right now.
Two guys hitting in AA have to be better than a guy who has yet to throw a professional inning out of high school. Dunno, unless you are a can’t miss talent out of HS, like Upton or something, you have to prove something before you leap frog guys with .850+ OPS in AA, I think.
by Chad Moriyama on Aug 17, 2010 3:06 AM PDT up reply actions
How are you rating Trayvon’s defense these days? Plus defense? If so, he’s got to be #1.
by Michael White on Aug 17, 2010 7:45 AM PDT up reply actions
Was already better in the ST. Dunno if it’s plus. Plus defense in center is hard to obtain, IMO, or any hard position.
Like some scouts already put Dee’s defense as plus because of the range and tools, but just giving the rating away, IMO.
by Chad Moriyama on Aug 17, 2010 3:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Back on draft day...
Bryan Smith of FanGraphs provided comps for every first rounder except Lee:
28. Zach Lee, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers
Skills they love: He won’t sign.
They’ll be hoping for production like: I’m sure the Dodgers wish the best for him as a quarterback at LSU.
After I objected in the comments, Smith said “if Lee signs, I will devote more than a line, I’ll write an entire piece on him.” Boy am I looking forward to that article. Maybe I’m just optimistic, but I had a feeling all along they’d get it done.
breaking news
dodgers trade brad ausmus for bryce harper and plan to bring him along as a catcher.
Unleash King Sam #8
This kid is worth $5.25 million (maybe he is, I have no idea). But, in order to avoid putting out the cash for the last few months of Casey Blake’s salary (a far smaller amount), they gave up Carlos Santana?
People don't think it be like this, but it do.
rememeber
they had Russell Martin who only seemed to be slumping rather than declining.
by Tommy Blackjack on Aug 17, 2010 6:50 AM PDT up reply actions
WTF. Do we seriously need to go through this every time the Dodgers do something either good or bad?
by Michael White on Aug 17, 2010 7:46 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
And as Jon W has noted, it has never been confirmed that Santana was needed for salary relief. It could be that they would only trade Blake for Santana.
by robotmadeofnails on Aug 17, 2010 8:31 AM PDT up reply actions
Side note for Eric
The Press-Telegram ripped off your Conrad Bane pun.
http://www.presstelegram.com/moresports/ci_15775521
People don't think it be like this, but it do.
So if this was like the NBA Draft where money is no matter
because it is slotted, where would he have been taken? 10-15 in first round?
My first game http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN198604280.shtml
I think someone said before
he was a top 10 talent
by Tommy Blackjack on Aug 17, 2010 7:33 AM PDT up reply actions
Only thing separating Lee & Harper was eye black :)
by Eric Stephen on Aug 17, 2010 7:40 AM PDT up reply actions
That can always be fixed
I think Harper has the greatest schtick ever. Outrageous eyeblack, “I just want someone to pitch to me!” I love it.
isn't that much eyeblack
against the rules in MLB? or is it just a good way to get beaned?
by Tommy Blackjack on Aug 17, 2010 7:53 AM PDT up reply actions
I’m trying to figure out how the Dodgers were able to spread the Lee bonus out over 5 years. Usually that is reserved for (a) major league deals; or (b) two-sport guys in college. Since Lee is in fact leaving LSU, I wonder how they got around that.
Then again, maybe this falls under the “both parties agreed to it so shut up” corollary.
The last point is what I was thinking. I mean, its a contract between two parties in a sport without a salary cap. I know its not exactly the wild west, but if both parties consent it seems reasonable.
by Michael White on Aug 17, 2010 7:56 AM PDT up reply actions
Lot of irrational exuberance in this thread...
TINSTAPP, people. He’s 18 and still three years away from the majors, if not more.
I think the exuberance
is that the Dodgers spent money, so while the player himself may not make any impact for a number of years, just the fact the Dodgers made a serious investment in their infrastructure is very important today. This was a big day for Dodger fans and should be celebrated.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
there is no such thing as a pitching prospect.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 17, 2010 9:27 AM PDT up reply actions
There are so many injuries and arm stress on young pitchers that it’s best not to count those chickens until the eggs have hatched to the majors.
by Eric Stephen on Aug 17, 2010 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions
That pic is too funny.
But what exactly is Mayor Villaraigosa looking at, and why is he smiling so big?
Why must you rain on our parade
This shit is all we’ve got right now with our shitty lineup and bullpen!
"Stop exploding you cowards!!!"
New fan shot
http://www.truebluela.com/2010/8/17/1627433/milb-dodgers-8-16-10-dodgers-add
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Lee's ERA
Isn’t his ERA kind of high for high school? Obviuosly a 2 ERA is low for high school but for being a guy who could have gone very early in the 1st round. J
Props to Frank and the F.O. Well done. I was wrong, but happily so. Great job.
by oshea2002 on Aug 17, 2010 9:40 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I’ll second these sentiments. Nice job, Frank, Ned & Co.!
The Spirit of MeatTrain'10!
by DodgerBlueBalls on Aug 17, 2010 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm happy he signed
But it almost makes me wonder if McCourt did this to silence critics. It’s expensive but he has been saving a lot of money else where by not signing players. By signing this guy critics will have to be silent for a while before saying too much about McCourt not doing anything.
by Dodgerblue8188 on Aug 17, 2010 10:02 AM PDT reply actions
They’ll only be silent until the next thing that happens. After all the crap that has gone on/come out in the last year, people are happy today. The next time something comes out or they do something we disagree with, we’ll be pissed again.
When bad things happen, we point to past bad things to show how we should have seen this coming. When good things happen, we point to past good things to show why we should have been more optimistic. There is no lasting good will/bad will because we’re too focused on pumping out the next story to remember the last one. Just as you can’t have a winning streak without winning the first game, you cannot establish a trend if the good and bad of the past is not accounted for.
Matt Kemp can make the Kessel Run in 12 Parsecs.
Quick question
31 (952) Derek Cone RHP Mesa CC (AZ) 6/20/90 AZL Dodgers
32 (982) Devon Ethier OF Gateway CC (AZ) 6/4/90 AZL Dodgers
Any chance this is the son of David Cone? And I assume Devon is Andre’s younger brother/cousin?
"He has to want it because talent only takes you so far. How much you want it is the difference between good and great." - Rick Neuheisel
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