Sox sign 7th-rounder Younginer

This morning the Red Sox locked up seventh-round draft pick Madison Younginer to a deal believed to be in the $1-million range. Younginer, 18, joins the Sox organization out of Mauldin High School in South Carolina. Mauldin is just outside of Greenville, South Carolina, the home of Boston's Low-A affiliate, the Greenville Drive. Younginer had previously committed to Clemson University after going 4-0 with a 1.50 ERA and a 33/12 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 2009. He was considered to be in the top fifty of all draft-eligible players in 2009, but slipped to the seventh round due to signability concerns. Coming out of high school, he already possesses an impressive array of pitches, including a mid-90s fastball, a low-80s changeup, and two potentially plus breaking pitches in development. On the downside, his ability to use his fastball proved more successful out of the bullpen in high school, and his mechanics may need some work. Younginer flew into Boston yesterday and inked his deal this morning, just days before the August 17 signing deadline.

Update: Multiple reports now indicate that Younginer will receive a $975,000 bonus, and that he will actually put pen to paper and finalize the deal on Saturday morning.

Second update: Younginer ended up finalizing the deal this afternoon.

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