Here's my story for the night

So I was staring at my computer, blackberry was on my right and I was refreshing Twitter, mlbtraderumors.com and my competitors over at the Seattle Times waiting to find out the news on Dustin Ackley.

Here's a quick breakdown
8:30 -- I'm told by my desk that it would be a good idea to start writing two stories - one if he signs and one if he doesn't. I feel like a speech writer on election night.
8:35 -- I hate writer's block
8:36 -- complaining on Facebook and Twitter
8:45 -- wondering what I've done with my day.
8:46 -- complaining on Twitter and Facebook
8:47 -- complaining to my dog
8:48-8:49 -- complain about my parents crappy cable package
8:50 -- My competitor and buddy Larry Stone's computer inexplicably crashes as he waits in anticipation. I may or may not have had anything to do with it. I'm like Keyser Soze in the Usual Suspects. "And like that, he's gone."
8:51 -- I can hear Larry screaming in rage all the way in Bellevue.
8:52-8:56 -- stare blankly ahead like David Putty on Seinfeld.
8:57 -- nothing
8:58 -- Cursing of Scott Boras under my breath
8:59 -- My dog starts barking for no reason
9:00 -- nothing, no whistles, sirens, no alerts from my computer, my blackberry, my email.
9:01 -- still no rioting in the streets, but then again I'm in Havre, MT. Dustin Ackley is not a big topic. Wheat futures, diesel prices and Griz football are
9:04 -- I'm alerted by my buddy Dusty on the desk that MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo is reporting he's signed.
9:12 -- get the official signing from the Mariners
9:15 -- Conference call with Jack Z
9:16 -- email about Tyler Blandford signing arrives
9:18 -- in the middle of the conference call, desk IMs me to ask if I'm done with my story for the Olympian. Um, not quite was my answer.
9:20 -- Cursing Scott Boras openly.
9:30 -- Writing furiously, not cleanly.
9:41 -- send story.
9:43 -- More writing for the TNT
9:50 -- Still writing, and trying to decipher notes from conference call with Jack Z.
10:21 -- Send story for TNT.
10:24 -- see that Ackley didn't sign for the 9.5 million that a few people reported.
10:25 -- call desk and have them change it to the write numbers.
10:27 -- Chhhhhhh, the sound of an adult beverage.
10:28 -- blogging.
10:38 -- responding to a blog comment
10:40 -- searching for a Sophia Bush pic to post in the comments
10:49 -- clink, clink, clink the sound of a few chunks of ice hitting a rocks glass.

As I mentioned a few sentences above the official parameters of the deal, according to Baseball America's Jim Callis.

Five-year major league deal, $6 million bonus, $1.5 million in guaranteed salaries, another $2.5 million possible in salaries depending on how quick he reaches the majors, $7.5 million total guaranteed.

Here's a few quotes from Jack Z

"We think he is a player who’s going to bat in the middle of our lineup in years to come. He has put up terrific numbers at the college level. He can run, he’s athletic, he’s a left-handed hitter who’s going to play nice in this ballpark. He’s the type of guy you look for when you’re scouting. We’re very excited about this sign."

Did it go down to the last minute?
It did, down to the last few minutes. There were many calls with Scott throughout the week and certainly throughout the day. We worked very hard on this one. It got down right to the very end. We’re happy we have the young man on board.

=> Read more!

Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik made the rounds of the local sportstalk radio this morning.

Here's his interview from Mitch in the Morning.

He also went on last night's postgame show with Shannon Drayer, and I'm still trying to locate that audio. Here it is. He also did a morning news show on KIRO as well, you can find it here.

And just cause I forgot to post, I was also on with Brock and Salk on Monday. You can listen to it here.

4 (113) James Jones, OF Long Island University
5 (143) Tyler Blandford, RHP Oklahoma State
6 (173) Shaver Hansen, 3B Baylor
7 (203) Brian Moran, LHP North Carolina
8 (233) Jimmy Gilheeney, LHP North Carolina State
9 (263) Trevor Coleman, C Missouri
10 (293) Vincent Catricala, 3B Hawaii
11 (323) Tim Morris, 1B St. John's N.Y.
12 (353) Andrew Carraway, RHP Virginia
13 (383) Matt Cerione, CF Georgia
14 (413) Adam Nelubowich, 3b Vauxhall HS, Vauxhall, Alberta
15 (443) Blake Keitzman, lhp Western Oregon
16 (473) Tillman Pugh, OF Gateway (Ariz.) CC
17 (503) Joseph Terry, 2B Cerritos (Calif.) CC
18 (533) Anthony Vasquez, LHP USC
19 (563) Eric Thomas, RHP Bethune Cookman
20 (593) Jonathan Hesketh, LHP New Mexico
21 (623) Daniel Cooper, RHP USC
22 (653) Drew Hayes, RHP Vanderbilt
23 (683) David Rollins, LHP San Jacinto (Texas) JC
24 (713) Carlton Tanabe, C Pearl City (Hawaii) HS
25 (743) Brandon Josselyn, RHP Yale
26 (773) Chris Sorce, RHP Troy
27 (803) Austin Hudson, RHP Central Florida
28 (833) Regan Flaherty, 1B Deering HS, Maine
29 (863) Brandon Haveman, OF Purdue
30 (893) Brandon Bantz, C Dallas Baptist Texas

Not a bad day for the Mariners. They take five position players - three college, two high school. Remember you'll be able to watch top pick Dustin Ackley and third-round pick Kyle Seager, who both play for the University of North Carolina on Sunday when the Heels take on Arizona State in the first round of the College World Series.

Here's my story from today.

Here's John McGrath's column on the draft.

This MLB.com story also has video of Ackley and other picks, and the comments from Jack Zduriencik and Tom McNamara

Here are some small bios and additional information and links for each.

1B/OF DUSTIN ACKLEY
University of North Carolina
Chosen: First round (second overall)
Vitals: 6-1 / 184
Bats/throws: Left/Right
Born: Feb. 26, 1988 in Winston Salem, NC
Skinny: The best position player in the draft, Ackley can run, hit for average and has potential for additional power. In three seasons with the Tarheels, he never hit below .400 and his on-base percentage never went below .448. Elbow surgery forced him to play first base much of the year, but with his arm healthy he will move to his natural position – centerfield.

Heading into his third College World Series, Ackley is batting .412 (103x250) with 17 doubles, 4 triples, 22 home runs and 70 RBI in 63 games this season. Ackley received ACC Player of the Year and First-Team Louisville Slugger All-America honors, becoming the first three-time All-America selection in Tar Heel baseball history.

In three seasons at North Carolina, Ackley has emerged as one of the best players in ACC history. He holds school career records for average (.410), hits (338), runs (225) and total bases (535). Ackley is a career .410 (338x824) hitter with 58 doubles, 11 triples, 39 home runs and 195 RBI. He has posted multiple hits in 105 of 204 career games (51%).

Here's the MLB draft report on Ackley

UNC bio

Here's the story from the Charlotte News Observer

How about a little youtube video?

SS NICHOLAS FRANKLIN
Lake Brantley High School, Almonte Springs, Fla.
Chosen: First round (27th overall)
Vitals: 6-1/170
Bats/Throws: Switch/Right
Born: March 2, 1991
Skinny: Labeled a “baseball rat” by those who have watched him play, Franklin is versatile athlete and a tireless worker. His high school has produced major leaguers Felipe Lopez (Diamondbacks), Rickie Weeks (Brewers), Jason Varitek (Red Sox) and top Oakland shortstop prospect Jemile Weeks. In his senior year, Franklin hit .538 with 11 home runs.

He has committed to playing at Auburn after a solid senior season in which he hit .538 with 11 home runs and was selected the Orlando Sentinel's baseball Player of the Year. Franklin, 18, was a member of the 2007 U.S. Youth National team that played in Venezuela.

Here's the MLB draft report on Franklin

Here's the Sun Sentinel's story on his selection.

Here's the Sun Sentinel's story on Franklin being player of the year.

And another story from the Sun Sentinel

Another scouting report from the Florida High School baseball report

Here's some youtube video from a year ago.

C STEVEN BARON
Ferguson High School, Miami, Fla.
Chosen: Sandwich pick (33rd overall)
Vitals: 6-0/190
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Born: Jan. 1, 1990
Skinny: Reports were that the Mariners had a pre-draft deal with Baron to take him at No. 33, earlier than he was projected. Baron is one of the top defensive catcher in the high school ranks. He threw out 13 of 24 runners attempted base stealers. The hitting is still coming along, he hit .345 with eight doubles and two homers and 16 RBI in 30 games his senior season.

Here's the MLB.com's draft report on Baron

Here's some comments from Baron in the Miami Herald's prep blog. It's also where this photo is from.

Here's the draft story from the Miami Herald. Baron this paragraph seems interesting.

Baron went to Seattle a day after high school graduation to work out for the Mariners. He indicated Tuesday that he might honor his commitment and play for Duke next season if he and his family cannot settle on a contract with the Mariners. Baron said he would like to sign a contract worth around $1.3 million. Meanwhile, Duke upped its scholarship offer to cover 90 percent of Baron's tuition, according to Baron.

''I have until August 15 to negotiate, and we'll see what happens,'' he said.

Here's another scouting report on Baron from a scouting service.

1B RICH POYTHRESS
University of Georgia
Chosen: Second round (51st overall)
Vitals: 6-4/245
Bats/Throws: Right/Right
Born: Aug. 11, 1988
Skinny: A power-hitting first baseman, Poythress hit .376 with 25 home runs and a school record 86 RBI this past season. It was the second straight season he topped 70 RBI for the Bulldogs. An obvious first-team All-SEC selection, Poythress was also named to the SEC’s all-defensive team.

He was named the 2009 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association District IV Player of the Year. He hit three home runs in the Tallahassee Regional to lead Georgia to a 24-8 win over Ohio State. Poythress was also named a Louisville Slugger All-American and a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy and the Golden Spikes Award.

Here's the MLB.com draft report on Poythress

Here's his U of Georgia bio

Here's a story from the Augusta Chronicle

Here's an interview with Poythress from a prospect blog

Here's a story on Poythress from last year when he was going to the CWS.

Here's some video of him making a good defensive play.

2B/3B KYLE SEAGER
University of North Carolina
Chosen: Third round (88th overall)
Vitals: 6-1/187
Bats/Throws: Left/Right
Born: Nov. 3, 1987
Skinny: He projects as a second baseman since he doesn’t quite have the power of a third baseman. Seager is second behind Ackley on the Tarheels in hitting with a .386 batting average. He had 24 doubles, four triples, five home runs, while driving in 59 runs with a .480 on-base percentage.

Seager was a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award as a sophomore when he set a single-season UNC record with 30 doubles. As a junior he was named All-Atlantic Coast Conference.

Here's the MLB.com draft report on Seager

UNC bio

Here's a story from his hometown newspaper.

Things got pretty hectic around here over the last 10 minutes with scouting director Tom McNamara and GM Jack Zduriencik speaking to the media and Dustin Ackley speaking over a conference call.

First lets get to McNamara, who I think enjoys briefings with the press about as much as getting a root canal with no novacaine.

He personally saw Ackley play centerfield on a couple different occasions.

"We’re pretty comfortable with his athleticism and things he can do and the things he’ll be able to do," McNamara said.

They are projecting him as a centefielder, but they said if he had to left field, the Mariners would be fine with it.

As for the Tommy John surgery, McNamara didn't seem concerned.

"Like any other player that comes back from surgery, we just scouted him as much as possible, midway through the season we were pretty excited labeling Dustin as our guy," McNamara said.

About a month ago, McNamara thought Ackley was the guy for the Mariners.

"I’d say about a month ago, I started feeling pretty good, there were a couple guys out there were in the mix, but he kind of stood out for us," McNamara said. "When bring your GM to a game, you’re pretty much making a statement."

As for shortstop Nicholas Franklin, he's a switch hitter, and McNamara noted he went to the same high school - Lake Brantley as Jason Varitek, Felipe Lopez and Rickie Weeks.

"There's a term in basketball called a gym rat, well Franklin is a baseball rat," McNamara said. "He's a confident player with a lot of ability and we're excited to have him."

Jack Zduriencik was next on the podium and said, "For Tom's first draft, I'm very proud of what he accomplished. We're fortunate to get a guy who we think has a sweet swing. You see a lot of these guys that can hit for a high average and run over the years. We think this guy has the potential to be a middle of the lineup hitter that can get on base and hit for average."

Zduriencik saw him play as a freshman and saw him this year at the Boston College series.

"All of our scouts are pretty comfortable with the fact that the transition is going to be pretty easy."

"This is a player that we think can move up pretty quick. All the things you want to see as a hitter, he possesses those natural abilities."

As for Franklin Zduriencik said: "We were really hoping we would get a chance to get a middle infielder. This is a guy they targeted and we're very happy he was there."

The conference call with Dustin Ackley was interesting since most of the callers were seated next to each other talking on the phone to him.

"To be the Mariners first overall exciting," he said.

When asked about playing in the same outfield that Junior and Ichiro played in.

"That's crazy to think that I'm following in their footsteps, but I'm excited to take on that role," he said.

As for his preference of outfield positions, he was open.

"I've played all of them, if I had to play one of them, I'd probably prefer centerfield," he said.

On the status of his arm
"My arm right now is the best its ever been. I feel like I could play out there every day right now if I had to," he said.

7:14 -- The Mariners made their final pick of the day, selecting Ackley's teammate Kyle Seager - a 2B/3B - from UNC. That is all for the Mariners today. More stuff after I file my story.

6:29 -- With the 51st pick, the Mariners take first baseman Rich Poythress out of the University of Georgia.

6:01 -- The Mariners with the 33rd pick catcher Steven Baron. We talked about this earlier and DAve Cameron from the USS Mariner had said the Mariners had a pre-draft deal with him. He's considered to be the best defensive high school catcher.

5:16 -- The Mariners take Nicholas Franklin, a high school shortstop from Florida.

I really thought they were going with RHP Tanner Scheppers here, but they went shortstop. Perhaps its fitting on a day when Yuni Betancourt is sitting for the fourth straight game.

He's 6-1, 170 and has committed to Auburn.

5:06 --- Ackley and teammate Alex White were on MLB TV. And Ackley said he was surprised to be selected at No. 2. He might be the only one.

We are going to have a conference call with Ackley in about 10 minutes, right about the time the Mariners will be picking 27th, but you know what, we adjust that's what you do.

As Orian pointed out in the comments, I said Aaron Gibson, when I meant Kyle Gibson, Just a mistake of too many names at once.

4:55 Well any hopes that RHP Kyle Gibson would slip to the Mariners at pick 27 because of the stress fracture in his forearm have been dashed as the Twins take Gibson at No. 22.

Here's the last few poicks.

16. Diamondbacks: Bobby Borchering, 3B
17. Diamondbacks: A.J. Pollock, CF
18. Marlins: Chad James, LHP
19. Cardinals: Shelby Miller, RHP
20. Blue Jays: Chad Jenkins, RHP (
21. Astros: Jiovanni Mier, SS
22. Twins: AAron Gibson, RHP

4:21 --- Well, I've now cooled down since my temper tantrum.

Here's the last few picks

12. Royals: Aaron Crow, RHP -- Crow was drafted by the Nationals last season but didn't sign. He's been pitching in independent ball. It's a bit of a surprise that he's dropped this far, but it's a steal for the Royals, who are trying to build a staff around Zack Greinke and former No. 1 pick Luke Hochevar.

13. Athletics: Grant Green, SS -- Remember when there was some talk about the Mariners taking Green at No. 2 way back when. But he didn't have much of a year this year and there were some doubts that he could even play short at the big league level.
14. Rangers: Matthew Purke, LHP
15. Indians: Alex White, RHP -- the second UNC player to go in the first round.

The D'Backs have back to back picks here.

4:03 -- I've absolutely had it with this blog software. I write about three paragraphs on some picks and also toss in a joke about Bud Selig being dense and his haircut and it disappeared into the Internet ether.

How are you supposed to live blog when you have to wait five minutes before being able to edit the post? How? How? What if something important happens in that five minutes? Ok, that's my rant. We are supposedly getting new blog software soon. So I will shut up and apologize to the TNT for my ramblings.

Here's the picks that have transpired since then.

6. Giants: Zach Wheeler, RHP (
7. Braves: Mike Minor, LHP
8. Reds: Mike Leake, RHP
9. Tigers: Jacob Turner, RHP
10. Nationals: Drew Storen, RHP
11. Rockies: Tyler Matzek, LHP

I wonder if Bill Bavasi had any input with the Reds pick at No. 9. I'm going to say no, because I like the pick. I've watched Leake pitch a few times this season on TV and love him. Manager Don Wakamatsu and I talked about him the other day and Wakamatsu loved how he attacked hitters.

3:31 -- Jack Zduriencik is on the MLB Network right now, and he mentioned that he believes it will be a "short period of time till he's a big leaguer" when asked about when Ackley could be playing for the Mariners.

The Padres took Donovan Tate at No. 3, while the Pirates take catcher Tony Sanchez at No.4.

3:20 p.m. --- The Mariners take Dustin Ackley with the second pick. It's official. It's the right pick. And something that was expected since we were just handed bios on him, 10 seconds after the pick.

From the press release: "Dustin has had an excellent career at North CArolina and in our mind was the best position player in this year's draft," Mariners scouting director Tom McNamara said. "We feel we are adding a great combination of talent and character to our organization with this selection."

3:15 Well, that was anticlimactic ... Strasburg was taken, it's weird hearing a pick and not hearing New York Jets fans booing.

So Stephen Strasburg is going to the Washington Nationals. Rumors were that he was going to demand $50 million. He does have Satan, er, Scott Boras as his agent. It will be interesting to see how it shakes out. But I'm sure the dozens and dozens of Nationals fans are excited.

3:03 p.m. -- Obviously Strasburg will be taken with the first pick. Taking a pitcher with the first pick can be a dicey proposition. Joe Posnanski takes a look at this premise with on his awesome sports blog.

The host of this draft show -- I forget his name - yeah, his voice is already driving me insane.

Also, ESPN's Keith Law is reporting that the Pirates with the fourth pick will select catcher Tony Sanchez of Boston College. Sanchez was projected as a late first round pick, but supposed the Pirates have a pre-draft deal done, and he'll probably much less money than the fourth slot.

2:47 p.m. -- Well, we are here at Safeco Field awaiting the Mariners picks. I'm kind of trying to decide how to do this. I think we'll do it like we do the game updates, only I will list the time and keep the newest updates at the top.

A few things ... Baseball America which is largely a subscription site. However, it has a draft blog which is fantastic and free. So that's a useful guide.

Their draft guru Jim Callis is set on the Mariners taking Dustin Ackley.

EDIT: My mistake on the labeling. As JP1717 points out, these aren't all first-round picks the first picks of that year's draft. Some are in the supplemental and such, so remember these aren't all first round picks, but the first pick the Mariners made that year.

Just for a reference, here are the first picks of the Mariners in the past. Some are good, Junior and Alex Rodriguez and Adam Jones, some were not good at the time like Michael Garciaparra, and some never panned out like Ryan Anderson (pictued above) and Patrick Lennon.

Take a look for yourself.

Mariners top draft picks
Year Player
1977 Dave Henderson, OF
1978 Tito Nanni, OF
1979 *Al Chambers, OF
1980 Darnell Coles, SS
1981 *Mike Moore,
1982 Spike Owen, SS
1983 Darrell Akerfelds, RHP
1984 Bill Swift, RHP
1985 Mike Campbell, RHP
1986 Patrick Lennon, SS
1987 *Ken Griffey Jr., OF
1988 Tino Martinez, 1B
1989 Roger Salkeld, RHP
1990 Marc Newfield, 1B
1991 Shawn Estes, LHP
1992 Ron Villone, LHP
1993 *Alex Rodriguez, SS
1994 Jason Varitek, C
1995 Jose Cruz, Jr.,
1996 Gil Meche, RHP
1997 Ryan Anderson, LHP
1998 Matt Thornton, LHP
1999 Ryan Christianson, C
2000 Sam Hays, LHP
2001 Michael Garciaparra, SS
2002 John Mayberry, Jr., 1B
2003 Adam Jones, OF
2004 Matt Tuiasosopo, SS
2005 Jeff Clement, C
2006 Brandon Morrow, RHP
2007 Phillippe Aumont, RHP
2008 Josh Fields, RHP
* First overall pick in draft