You may remember last year when the Royals didn’t sign Mike Moustakas until seconds before the deadline. The Royals came that close to losing the rights to him.
Don’t look for any quick signings with Hosmer, either. He recently told The Miami Herald that his signing wasn’t imminent.
“I haven’t decided anything,” said Hosmer, who has the option of a scholarship at Arizona State. “Probably around August we’ll start cracking down on stuff.”
August? It’s still June, and we’re talking August? Well, of course, Hosmer does have Scott Boras as his agent.
“Knowing the history there (with Boras) it probably will take some time,” Royals director of player development J.J. Picollo said by phone. “Agents are most likely going to hold out until the end.”
While there were early reports that Hosmer and Boras could have commanded as much as a $7 million signing bonus, this year’s No. 1 pick, high school shortstop Tim Beckham, already has signed a $6.15 million signing bonus.
Hosmer was picked No. 3.
“I’m not inside on what the numbers will be, but I can tell you that this kid wants to play ball,” Picollo said. “A few days after we drafted him, he had already reported to play summer ball for Midland. He’s not the type to sit around and wait.”
Midland, based near Cincinnati, is one of the top traveling amateur teams in the country. Hosmer, a power hitting, left-handed first baseman, will DH this summer.
“He’s going to take ground balls during practice and before games,” Picollo said. “But he’ll DH during games, mainly to stay away from any potential injuries.”
Lawrence T-Town?
ESPN is sending a crew to Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence to tape a segment on Friday morning at 9 as part of its “Titletown USA” competition.
Lawrence is one of 20 finalists for “Titletown USA.” The winner, which will be decided by online voting, will be announced on July 27.
Lawrence was chosen as a finalist based on Kansas’ NCAA men’s basketball title and the football team’s FedEx Orange Bowl victory.
“This is a celebration of the great history and tradition of Kansas University athletics, from (Wilt) Chamberlain to (Paul) Pierce to (Mario) Chalmers,” said Glenn Jacobs, ESPN senior coordinating producer.
MU ‘Playboys’
Missouri tight end Chase Coffman and receiver Jeremy Maclin were named to the Playboy preseason All-America team, believed to be the first time the Tigers have had two players on the team.
Justin Smith was the last Tiger on the team in 2000.
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