13 July 2007

It has been a little over a month since the Braves took Georgia outfielder/first baseman Jason Heyward with the fourteenth overall pick in the June Amateur draft. Some in the Braves front office believed that it would take a while to sign the 17-year old from Henry County High School in McDonough, GA but he was expected to sign. It is not official yet, but Baseball America is reporting that the Braves have reached an agreement with Heyward on a deal.

Heyward has committed to UCLA, something that becomes obvious when you see him around the complex this week, sporting UCLA shorts and a Bruins cap. He said heís ìjust waiting on (the Braves),î as the No. 14 overall selection by Atlanta continues to hold out. Sources indicate the club has reached an agreement with Heyward on a $1.7 million bonus, although it has not yet been announced.

This would leave Josh Fields, a Scott Boras client, as the only one of Braves top nine picks who has not signed (other than Dennis Dixon, who has a special circumstance). He is considered much more of a long-shot to sign after a disappointing season as Georgia's closer. Heyward, who prospect guru John Sickels rated as the top high school hitter in this year's draft is expected to make the shift to left field. His big-time power potential from the left side and very good plate discipline make him a high school hitter who could rise through the minors very quickly.