Atlanta Braves sign Ty Harpenau: Stewart and Vodnik unsigned

Atlanta Braves 16th round selection is now on board leaving only two earlier round selectees unsigned.

MLB’s Draft Tracker shows Ty Harpenau officially inked to a contract for a $75,000 signing bonus. That’s $50K under the $125K maximum. This signing leaves only Atlanta’s one-one selectee Carter Stewart and fourteenth round pick Victor Vodnik unsigned among the Braves first 26 selections.

Stewart and Vodnik are also the last two expected to put pen to paper.  Derek West (28th round), Zach Hess (34th round), Franco Aleman (38th round), Jack Perkins (39th round), and Micky Mangan (40th round) are expected to go back to school and try for a higher selection in future.

The draft tracker also cleared up the mystery – of there was one – of Nolan Kingham’s signing bonus. Kingham coaxed $150K from Atlanta, $25K over slot.

Atlanta Brave’s pitching prospect, Ty Harpenau

Ty Harpenau told Kevin Taylor of the Times Record he didn’t know if he wanted to play ball this year.

"“Last year I didn’t play very much. I told my dad I didn’t know if this was fun anymore.”"

Fortunately for Texas Tech and the Braves, his father convinced him to give it another shot. A season of summer ball and found the joy in playing he’d misplaced.

He brought joy to the Red Raiders this season as well. The 6’-1. 175-pond right from Fort Smith appeared in 27 games and threw 57 2/3 innings, all in relief.

He finished the season with a 7-2 record and four saves posting a 3.59 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, striking out 55 and walking 26.

Harpenau won’t be alone when he gets to Rome as teammate Ryan Shetter signed a few days ago and should be there to greet him.

That’s a wrap

Jim Callis just tweeted that the Reds signed their first round pick for $500K under slot. So far every first-round pick taken ahead of Stewart signed under slot. The Atlanta Braves and Stewart reportedly agreed on a deal in principle before they called his name. That begs the question, what’s the holdup?

While the Braves saved $50K on Harpenau’s signing, the Kingham overage counts against the remaining first-round money. The pool balance remaining – if the Braves are to avoid penalty – stands at $4,924,800. Every dollar over that costs the Braves a dollar and a half.

Next: Free baseball on a hot night

I’m sure there are reasons and sure he will sign. Perhaps they want Vodnik ’s signature on a contract so they can schedule a press event for the new prospects with Stewart as the centerpiece.

Whatever happens, we’ll keep you informed here at the Take.