June 17, 2012 at 6:48 PM
Red Sox sign first-round pick Deven Marrero
According to Jim Callis of Baseball America, the Red Sox have signed Deven Marrero, their first-round pick and the 24th overall selection, for a bonus of $2.05 million which is slightly more than the bonus pool of $1.75 million for the pick.
The 6-foot-1, 194 pound junior shortstop out of Arizona State was considered a contender to be a top 10 pick coming into the year. However, Marrero was inconsistent in 2012, finishing with a line of .284/.340/.436. He is considered a very good defensive shortstop and is expected to stay at the position as a professional. The Red Sox have scouted Marrero for many years now, and prior to this season he had a long history of success starting in high school and continuing for Team USA and in the wood bat Cape Cod Summer League. This likely gave the Red Sox enough confidence in his future production and development to use their first pick on him after he slipped further than expected.
As we detailed Friday, the Red Sox have already announced 11 other signings, and including Marrero they are now $331,700 over their bonus pool amount. Only two of the 12 players the Red Sox selected in the top 10 rounds remain unsigned, the 31st overall pick Brian Johnson and their third-round pick Austin Maddox both from the University of Florida. The University of Florida is still playing in the College World Series which is likely the reason for the delay in their negotiations. Both players are expected to sign for under slot so that the Red Sox can avoid some of the severe penalties for spending more than 5% above a team's bonus pool.