Burgess Signs With Nationals
Former Hillsborough center fielder Michael Burgess signed tonight with the Washington Nationals, 25 days after the club drafted him with the 49th overall pick in the Major League Baseball first-year player draft.
Terms weren't immediately disclosed, but the average signing bonus for the draft's 49th pick over the last four years is $645,000.
"We're just thrilled to get him," said Nationals area scout Paul Tinnell, who joined several of Burgess' friends and relatives at the signing. "We've gotten to know Mike pretty well."
Burgess, named the Aflac National High School Player of the Year following his junior season, reports Wednesday to the Nationals' rookie-league affiliate in Melbourne.
The St. Petersburg Times High School Sports blog is written and compiled by the Times preps sports staff from Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando counties. We invite your participation in the comments area.
The Family lives down the street from me and it was pretty cool seeing all the people file in and out of the house.
Posted by: Ryan | July 03, 2007 at 10:46 AM