June 21, 2014 at 10:28 PM
Danny Mars, Karsten Whitson highlight quartet of signings
The Red Sox have agreed to terms with four picks from the 2014 draft: outfielder Danny Mars, selected in the sixth round, 11th-round RHP Karsten Whitson (pictured), 12th-round LHP Jalen Beeks, and 17th-round shortstop Jeremy Rivera. The first three were assigned today to the Short Season-A Lowell roster, and per Assistant General Manager Jon Boswell, Rivera will also be assigned to the Spinners.
Mars will receive a slot bonus of $211,800 according to Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish. That number has not yet been confirmed, but is the suggested bonus set by MLB for the pick. Mars projects to play center field, where he starred at Chipola College (FL). The 20-year-old had 25 stolen bases and eight triples in his single season at Chipola.
Whitson's bonus will be for $100K, the maximum amount for an 11th rounder that does not count against the overall team cap. Whitson was the ninth overall pick in the 2010 draft by the Padres out of high school but he decided to forgo professional baseball in order to pitch for the University of Florida. After an outstanding first season in Gainesville where he was named Perfect Game Freshman of the Year, Whitson struggled with a shoulder injury. He was taken in the 37th round by Washington after missing the entire 2013 season, but returned for his senior year. While he had only sporadic effectiveness, his fastball was back to 96 impressing the Red Sox enough to take a chance on him. Whitson enters the SoxProspects.com Top 60 rankings at #50.
The terms of the deals for Beeks and Rivera have not yet been reported. The most up-to-date reported amounts for Boston's draftees are listed below:
1. Michael Chavis, SS - $1,870,500 (slot: $1,870,500)
1. Michael Kopech, RHP - $1,500,000 (slot: $1,678,000)
2. Sam Travis, 1B - $846,800 (slot: $846,800)
5. Josh Ockimey, 1B - $450,000 (slot: $282,800)
6. Danny Mars, CF - $211,800 (slot: $211,800)
11. Karsten Whitson, RHP - $100,000
12. Jalen Beeks, LHP
13. Chandler Shepherd, RHP
15. Trenton Kemp, CF - $250,000 ($150,000 counts against cap)
17. Jeremy Rivera, SS
18. Jordan Betts, 3B
19. Tyler Hill, CF - $100,000
23. Derek Miller, CF
31. Alex McKeon, C
34. Kuehl McEachern, RHP
37. Hector Lorenzana, SS
38. Brandon Show, RHP
Photo Credit: Karsten Whitson from Gatorzone.com