Matt Spalding, St. Xavier High School, Louisville, KY, signed today with the Boston Red Sox after long negotiations through the summer. He is excited about being a part of one of the best organizations in baseball and playing the game that he loves. The decision to put his college education on hold was a very difficult one; though as an excellent student, he has looked at ways to obtain his degree. This past week he traveled to Boston to complete a physical examination in order to pave the way to complete negotiations before the signing deadline of August 15. He was able to come to terms with the Red Sox to help financially jump start his adult life and received the highest bonus offer from the Red Sox of any high school right-handed pitcher that they drafted. While this step of signing a professional contract is a milestone, his overall goal is to work hard and learn in order to play major league baseball. Jon Adkins, the area scout for the Red Sox, is of similar physical build and was a power pitcher while playing ten years professionally. He could be a good mentor for Spalding as well.

 

Spalding visited Boston and participated with other Red Sox drafted players June 22 and 23 at the Red Sox Classic at Fenway Park and met with the organization. The Boston Red Sox are committed to be the top organization in baseball. The Red Sox put in time, effort, and money in order to help their players develop to their fullest potential. They have state of the art facilities as well as the preeminent coaches and trainers in baseball. Spalding will report to Florida for the remainder of the season in the Gulf Coast League then also participate in the fall instructional league in Fort Myers, FL.

Red Sox sign 29th rounder Matt Spalding

 

WEEI.com Blog Network: http://fullcount.weei.com/sports/boston/baseball/red-sox/2011/08/13/red-sox-sign-29th-rounder-matt-spalding/

 

"The Red Sox have signed 29th round draft pick Matt Spalding to a $275,000 bonus, according to a major league source. The right-hander, who had recently asked for his release from a scholarship commitment to the University of Western Kentucky, comes to the Sox from St. Xavier High School in Kentucky. The Sox viewed him as a slight (6-foot) right-hander with a big arm, as he touched 95 mph as a senior, and can get swings and misses with his fastball. Those traits justified a bonus commensurate with the slot recommendation for a third-round pick (indeed, Sox third-rounder Jordan Weems, who signed for $500,000, had a $275,000 slot recommendation)."

"University of Western Kentucky?"

Congrats to the kid.

Congratulations Matt! I know it was a well thought out and difficult decison for Matt and his family to make. I look forward to following his career. I understand he may get on the mound as soon as today or tommorow in the Gulf Coast League.

Isn't his dad a big Yankee fan? I thought I had heard this somewhere. If so, will this convert dad?

 

Congrats Matt. Hope all your dreams come true.

Isn't his dad a big Yankee fan? I thought I had heard this somewhere. If so, will this convert dad?

 

Congrats Matt. Hope all your dreams come true.

 

I heard that his Dad now has a hat with a red “B” on it.

 

I also think that his Dad had reservations about the amount of money that his son signed for being posted, but wanted people to know that it wasn’t the amount that a person would typically think of at the 29th round. His Dad and Matt sat and talked a good while about the pros and cons of the decision, so it was not frivolous. His Dad talked to him about the benefits of three years of college and a few more years to be on his own. Matt is a bright student. Going to college might be a “safer” choice on one hand, but his son’s passion for the game of baseball and the opportunity at hand might open up doors. His son decided to “go with it,” but at least he thought about his options as well as the risks and benefits. Boston is probably one of the best organizations for his son to be a part of. At the same time, his Dad supports his son’s decision and realizes that his son’s courage to do it might be the best chance for a pitcher to make it one day.