Rumored for more than a week now, the Washington Nationals announced this afternoon they have signed 2010 12th round pick Robbie Ray, a 18-year old LHP from Brentwood (TN) H.S. General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement via press release.
Ray has international experience, competing with Team USA's Under-18 squad which won the Pan Am AAA Championship last season. He has committed to play for Arkansas.
The Nats brought Ray into Washington last week for a workout and "recruitment" trip, and was seen in the stands Friday night sitting with members of the Lerner family, including Mark Lerner, from the first row of the President's Club, sporting a Nats "Curly W" hat and "Ray" Nats jersey.
According to one draft preview, Ray has a fastball in the 90-92 range with a plus changeup -- when it's on.
We're still watching the clock on the Nats' three outstanding draft picks the team hopes to ink tonight: No. 1 overall pick Bryce Harper, second rounder LHP Sammy Solis and fourth rounder RHP A.J. Cole.
Harper, and his advisor Scott Boras, want a record signing bonus for position players, with Boras calling Harper "a legend" during one post-draft interview. Cole was assessed as a first round talent that fell to the fourth round over signability issues.
Cole and Solis already are rumored to have way-over-slot deals, but the Nats are waiting to announce them closer to tonight's deadline in deference to MLB preference to not announce over-slot deals early enough to affect other player's negotiations.
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