Drew Pomeranz and LeVon Washington, the Indians' first two picks in the draft, were available because they said no to other teams. The Tribe picked Pomeranz in the first round and Washington in the second.
UPDATED: 11:01 p.m.
Three years after turning down an offer by the Texas Rangers to bypass college, Mississippi lefty Drew Pomeranz will likely command a big contract as the No. 5 pick in the 2010 draft.
• MLB.com breakdown of the Indians' selections
INDIANS CHATTER
Clubhouse confidential: Boston catcher Victor Martinez threw batting practice to his five-year-old son, Victor Jose, Tuesday afternoon. Victor Jose, just a couple of inches taller than his bat, was hitting the ball all over the infield while decked out in a Red Sox uniform and batting gloves.
He wore No. 41, just like his dad. He was even switch-hitting.
Return plans: When Matt LaPorta rejoins the Indians later this season, manager Manny Acta says he’ll play every day. Whether that’s at first base, left field or both remains to be seen.
LaPorta was optioned to Class AAA Columbus on Monday to make room for Andy Marte. The Indians want LaPorta to play every day, which he wasn’t doing in Cleveland.
Stat of the day: Shin-Soo Choo entered Tuesday’s game ranked eighth in the AL with 32 walks. He led the Indians in the category.
-- Paul HoynesCLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Rangers didn't miss signing left-hander Drew Pomeranz by much after drafting him in the 12th round as a high school senior in 2007.
"They came up a little short of what I was asking for," said Pomeranz.
Tampa Bay missed by a wider margin in trying to sign outfielder LeVon Washington last year after drafting him in the first round. The Indians opened the second day of MLB's first-year player draft Tuesday by taking Washington out of Chipola Junior College with their second pick. Last year, Washington walked away from a rumored signing bonus between $1.08 million and $1.1 million from the Rays.
Sports Illustrated.com reported Tuesday that the Indians have already signed Washington, a Scott Boras client, to a one-year deal worth $1.55 million.
"We have not come to an agreement with any of our players," said Brad Grant, director of amateur scouting.
As for reports that Washington doesn't always play hard, Grant said they have no issues with his play.
"I talked to him over the winter," said Grant. "LeVon is a good kid."
Tuesday's drafting ended at 30 rounds. The final 20 rounds will start at noon Wednesday. Here are their top 10 picks: LHP Pomeranz, University of Mississippi; OF Washington, Chipola JC; SS Tony Wolters, Rancho Buena High School (Calif.); RHP Kyle Blair, University of San Diego; RHP Cole Cook, Pepperdine; SS Nick Bartolone, Chabot College; RHP Robbie Aviles, Suffern (N.Y.) High School; C Alex Lavisky, St. Edward (Cleveland) High School; RHP Jordan Cooper, Wichita State; OF Tyler Holt, Florida State.
There were other forces pulling Pomeranz toward the halls of higher learning besides cash. Stuart Pomeranz, his older brother, told Drew he wished that he went to college instead of signing with St. Louis out of high school in 2003. Pomeranz's father played at the University of Mississippi and his mother wanted him to go to college as well.
So Pomeranz enrolled at Ole Miss and the Indians selected him with the fifth overall pick Monday in MLB's first-year player draft.
"I think [Texas' offer] has grown a little bit in three years of college," said the 6-5, 230-pound Pomeranz, who is advised by the Beverly Hills Sports Council.
"I have no idea how long the negotiations are going to take," he said.
In August of 2008, Pomeranz was charged with refusal to take a breath-alcohol test, giving false information to a police officer and possessing fake identification.
"It was dumb kid thing to do," said Pomeranz. "It makes you grow up a little."
Said Grant, "We've spent a lot of time with Drew. We're very, very confident with him as a person."
Pomeranz went 9-2 with a 2.24 ERA in 16 starts at Mississippi this year. He struck out 139 and walked 49 in 139 100 2/3 innings.
Washington, coming off right shoulder surgery, hit .327 (48-for-147) with 11 doubles, one triple, eight homers and 25 RBI in 41 games. He scored 39 runs and stole nine bases in 12 attempts.
The Indians see him as a leadoff/center fielder. Grant says he has "seven speed" on a scouting scale of two to eight and above average bat speed.
Another day, another move: Before Tuesday's game, Mark Grudzielanek was designated for assignment and Anderson Hernandez's contract was purchased from Class AAA Columbus because he wasn't on the 40-man roster.
Grudzielanek was designated with a strained right hamstring. The Indians gave him the option of going on the 60-man roster, but manager Manny Acta said, "A guy Mark's age [39] doesn't want to sit that long."
The Indians couldn't put him on the 15-day disabled list because they couldn't create a roster space for Hernandez. Acta said they needed Hernandez so they wouldn't wear out rookie Jason Donald at shortstop. Donald has been starting at short since Asdrubal Cabrera broke his left forearm May 17.
Acta said Donald and Luis Valbuena will get the majority of playing time at short and second. He said Donald will also get some time at second base. Hernandez can play second and short.
| Manny Acta comments on roster move and the 2010 amateur draft. |