SAN DIEGO (AP) -The San Diego Padres approached Friday night’s deadline with a “50-50 chance” of signing first-round draft pick Allan Dykstra, according to team vice president Grady Fuson.
Dykstra, an infielder from Wake Forest, was selected by the Padres with the 23rd overall pick.
After the Padres made an initial contract offer to Dykstra, the club withdrew it following a medical exam. Fuson would not say what was in the exam results, but did acknowledged that it had to do with Dykstra’s hip. Dykstra underwent hip surgery before his sophomore year in high school.
“I hate to characterize negotiations, but I would say it’s about a 50-50 chance,” Fuson said. “The intent was to sign the player as quickly as possible, but (the exam) changed the landscape.”
The Padres announced Friday they signed second-round pick infielder James Darnell from the University of South Carolina. Darnell, the 69th overall pick, hit .306 with 19 homers and 81 RBIs in his junior season.
Teams had until 9 p.m. PDT Friday night to sign draft picks, unless they had completed their senior years in college.
Dykstra, a local San Diego prep product, hit .323 with 16 homers and 50 RBIs in his junior season at Wake Forest. In three years at Wake Forest, Dykstra hit .318 with 49 home runs and 166 RBIs.
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