WASHINGTON (AP) -The Washington Nationals have agreed to terms with Ross Detwiler, their top draft pick out of Missouri State.
The 21-year-old left-hander receives a $2.15 million signing bonus as the sixth overall pick and will sign a contract in Washington on Friday. He’ll then go to Viera, Fla., and join the Gulf Coast League Nationals, before moving on to the Potomac Nationals of the Class A Carolina League.
Team officials have said they wouldn’t be surprised if Detwiler comes to the majors for a look in September, when teams can expand their rosters.
“It’s possible,” general manager Jim Bowden said. “He’s got a much better chance to make it than the players that haven’t signed, because he’s going to report on Saturday. And we’re going to get him ready to go, and we’ll see where the year takes him.”
The Nationals have signed 15 of their first 17 picks, but Bowden expressed frustration at not being able to sign left-hander Josh Smoker, the 31st overall pick in the draft.
“We will work hard to sign Josh, but the negotiations have not gone well,” Bowden said. “At this point, we’re very disappointed in that, but we’ll still work at it.”
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