Updates on draftee's to sign

As of 6/13

4.1 1B Conrad Gregor, 5.1 2B Tony Kemp, 7.1 CF James Ramsey, 8.1 CF Jason Martin, 13.1 RHP Kyle Westwood, 21.1 LF Jon Kemmer, 22.1 LHP Sebastian Kessay, 23.1 SS Thomas Lindauer, 25.1 LHP Albert Minnis, 26.1 RHP William Chrismon, 27.1 RHP Patrick Christensen, 29.1 LHP Randall Fant, 32.1 RHP Zach Morton, 34.1 Brett Booth, 40.1 RHP Tyler Brunneman. 

As of 6/14

2.1 RHP Andrew Thurman (unofficial) 6.1 C Jacob Nottingham, 38.1 OF Ronnie Mitchell

Updates: It has been confirmed via MLB.com that Andrew Thurman has agreed in principle to a contract with the Astros and that he should be in Houston early next week to sign and make the deal official. Via twitter, Devonte German has confirmed that he's "98%" sure that he will be signing with Houston. Earlier today Jeff Passan reported that Houston and 1.1 selection Mark Appel are "nearing a deal" and should finalize it by next week. That leaves Austin Nicely, Mark Appel, Kent Emanuel, and Brian Holberton as the only top 10 selections who have not signed, with Appel closing in on a deal, and Holberton and Emanuel still playing within the CWS. Officially 14 draftees have signed thus far. 

As of 6/17

2.1 RHP Andrew Thurman (Officially) 28.1 LHP Jordan Mills, 30.1 RHP Jorge Perez, 33.1 1B Tyler White, 36.1 LHP J.D. Osborne. 

Updates: Thurman signed for slot bonus of 1,397,200 today in Houston. He worked out with the team during BP and was introduced to the home crowd today as is customary with all of the Astros top selections. News of Luhnow and Co. inching closer to a deal with Appel surfaced as well. Luhnow was quoted as saying today that talks with Appel were, "going well" and that they were "engaged". Jim Callis of Baseball America tweeted this past Saturday that The Astros and Appel are still finalizing details, but they reached an agreement on a bonus of 6.35 million. Brian T. Smith however insisted that nothing has changed between the two parties, and that there is no deal in place. This next week something should come to fruition. 

As of 6/23

1.1 RHP Mark Appel, 10.1 LHP Austin Nicely, 38.1 OF Ronnie Mitchell. 

Updates: The big news obviously is locking up Appel to the tune of a 6.35 million dollar bonus. He signed rather quickly, but it's something we should expect with the new CBA. The signing of Appel is such a huge step towards the future. I believe he will be going to Tri-City to start his professional career, where the tandem system will work well for him considering he's already thrown over 100 innings at Stanford. I cant say how pumped I am to slot Appel in the system and see him in the show in a few short years. Nicely signed on the dotted line for 610,00, about 470,000 overslot. The high school lefty has plenty of upside, with very good feel for his secondary for a young guy. I believe he will start the year at Greeneville.  That Leaves Kent Emanuel, and Brian Holberton as the only two remaining in the top 10 who haven't signed. 


As of 6/29
9.1 C Brian Holberton, 14.1 LHP Chris Cotton, 18.1 3B Adam Nelubowich, 19.1 C Jake Rodriguez, 39.1 RHP Juan Santos. 

Updates: With Holberton signing, that leaves Kent Emanuel as the only member of the top 10 picks that has not signed. No updates on Devonte German unfortunately. I assume he will wait until Emanuel signs, and try to chew up the majority of whatever pool remains. 

As of 7/12 (signing deadline)

3.1 LHP Kent Emanuel, 11.1 RHP Devonte German, 12.1 1B Chase McDonald

Updates: Today officially wraps up the 2013 rule 4 player draft for the Astros. In Mike Elias's first year at the helm, he successfully signed his first 14 picks, and 32 of 40 selections overall. Not a bad draft by any means, not as high upside as last years draft, but this one will definitely produce fruit and it will do so rather quickly. Another successful draft in the books for Luhnow and Co.