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White Sox Come to Terms With Broadway


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White Sox Sign Lance Broadway

By Jason Gage

June 13, 2005

FutureSox.com

 

The Chicago White Sox announced that they came to terms with 1st round draft pick Lance Broadway. Broadway, a right handed pitcher out of TCU, was the 15th overall selection during the 2005 June amateur draft. In a recent interview with FutureSox.com Broadway mentioned he was eager and willing to get a deal done and the White Sox were just as anxious as the two sides agreed to a $1.57 million dollar signing bonus. Broadway will be sent to Winston Salem (High A)...MORE

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There will be a whole slew of signings the next couple days and then rosters will be out for the short season teams.

 

My guess is they may have already came to terms with some other guys or are pretty close. I'm gonna try and figure out whats going on with the other picks cause I haven't had the shot to do much catching up until tonight.

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QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jun 14, 2005 -> 12:34 AM)
There will be a whole slew of signings the next couple days and then rosters will be out for the short season teams. 

 

My guess is they may have already came to terms with some other guys or are pretty close.  I'm gonna try and figure out whats going on with the other picks cause I haven't had the shot to do much catching up until tonight.

 

 

Both Short-season teams open play on June 21st. I expect mass-signing-announcements in the next 48 hours. Was good to see Cortes may be close to terms. He's one of about 4 or 5 signability picks that could turn an average draft into a real good one...

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QUOTE(Randar68 @ Jun 14, 2005 -> 08:21 AM)
Both Short-season teams open play on June 21st.  I expect mass-signing-announcements in the next 48 hours.  Was good to see Cortes may be close to terms.  He's one of about 4 or 5 signability picks that could turn an average draft into a real good one...

The funny thing is I saw where Brooks is supposed to be a real tough sign, which is interesting since a lot of us thought he was a bit of a reach.

 

I know a couple years back a lot of scouts felt he projected more as a reliever as opposed to a starter.

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White Sox sign off on Broadway deal

06/13/2005 9:50 PM ET

By Scott Merkin / MLB.com

 

CHICAGO -- The description provided by Lance Broadway to the Chicago media in regards to what should be expected when he is on the mound was succinct and to the point. That explanation mirrored the length of time it took for the first-round pick and the White Sox to reach contractual terms.

 

Broadway, the 15th overall pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft, signed on the dotted line Monday, receiving a $1.57 million signing bonus. Broadway made it clear during a conference call after his somewhat surprising selection that he would quickly be in the fold with the White Sox, and proved to be a man of his word.

 

"That's exactly what happened," said Broadway of the quick negotiating period, handled by Ryan Ware, his representative. "Things went well. Things went smoothly. It's what I expected.

 

"You can't get better unless you are playing, and if you are not signed, you are not playing. Baseball is my dream, and you have to play baseball to be able to achieve your dream."

 

The 6-foot-4 right-hander, who played one season at Texas Christian University after pitching two seasons at the NAIA level for Dallas Baptist, mentioned that the first-round contracts being slotted based on the deals for previously drafted players certainly sped up the process. He also pointed out that clubs are truly taking a stand on how far they are willing to go with a rigid first-rounder, and that nobody really wins during a prolonged negotiating period.

 

It's Broadway that clearly won in this particular situation. Broadway was considered by many to be a late first-round or early second-round selection during much of the time leading up to last week's draft, but his value skyrocketed in the final few weeks. That period included a complete-game victory for Broadway over Stanford in the NCAA Regionals.

 

Duane Shaffer, the team's senior director of player personnel, stated previously that Broadway was the team's target for the past two months, with his value simply being confirmed by others within the organization. Broadway has a fastball clocked between 88-92 mph, not exactly the classic first-round capabilities for a pitcher.

 

But Broadway also had a 15-1 record for the Horned Frogs as a junior, leading all NCAA Division I pitchers in victories, while setting a school record for wins and strikeouts at 151. He posted a 1.62 ERA and five complete games in 19 trips to the mound, leading the White Sox to believe that his collegiate numbers would translate favorably at the Major League level.

 

"They felt he was the guy that was more than likely going to be in professional ball what he is as an amateur," said White Sox general manager Ken Williams of Broadway's selection. "There are other guys out there that people talk about, some that people felt maybe had better fastballs here or more zip on some of their pitches.

 

"But in terms of consistency, getting here quickly and entrenching himself in a god spot in the rotation, we decided he was the guy," Williams added.

 

Broadway expects to join Class A Winston-Salem at some point this weekend and move right into the Minor League experience. He doesn't expect any extra pressure to fall upon him from being a first-round pick, and has already talked to a few friends who play professionally about the entire experience.

 

A stint in the Northwoods League last summer, playing for the Wisconsin Woodchucks, gave Broadway his own first-hand knowledge of pitching as part of a five-man rotation and frequent travel. Once he starts with the Warthogs, though, Broadway knows it all comes down to making pitches.

 

"All I can say is I would like to make it to the Major Leagues as soon as possible," Broadway said. "They won't put me out there until I'm ready. I want to go out there and pitch the best I can and I expect to hopefully be there soon.

 

"There's no timeframe there. I'll be up [in the big leagues] when I'm ready. I expect to pitch well. I believe I have the ability and mental capacity to do it. But it will take innings and repetition to get that done."

 

As for Broadway's repertoire, he described it Monday as throwing a "fastball, curve, changeup and strikes." That description wasn't exactly on display Monday night, when Broadway threw out the first pitch prior to the Arizona game.

 

His toss, which resembled an eephus pitch, one-hopped Mark Buehrle behind the plate. Nerves could be blamed for that situation. Then again, very few first-round picks are judged solely on their first pitch.

 

"It was great walking out there, but the throw really didn't turn out too good," said Broadway with a laugh. "But no, it was great. The guys have shown me a great time. I love Chicago already."

 

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

 

 

But in terms of consistency, getting here quickly and entrenching himself in a god spot in the rotation, we decided he was the guy," Williams added.

 

Wow! Don't get me wrong, I'm just as excited about Broadway as the next guy--but, entrenching himself in a god spot in the rotation? That's impressive.

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QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ Jun 14, 2005 -> 11:04 AM)
The funny thing is I saw where Brooks is supposed to be a real tough sign, which is interesting since a lot of us thought he was a bit of a reach. 

 

I know a couple years back a lot of scouts felt he projected more as a reliever as opposed to a starter.

 

Yeah, draft-eligible sophomore that apparently wasn't rated as highly due to signability doubts and exposure... Appears to be a better pick than originally thought. Without a second rounder, and having drafted him before and obviously having had discussions with him 2 years ago, they must feel they can sign him or they wouldn't have taken him, IMO...

 

If they can sign those first 10-14 picks this year, I'll be thrilled no matter what happens with Danks...

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QUOTE(Randar68 @ Jun 14, 2005 -> 09:26 AM)
Yeah, draft-eligible sophomore that apparently wasn't rated as highly due to signability doubts and exposure...  Appears to be a better pick than originally thought.  Without a second rounder, and having drafted him before and obviously having had discussions with him 2 years ago, they must feel they can sign him or they wouldn't have taken him, IMO...

 

If they can sign those first 10-14 picks this year, I'll be thrilled no matter what happens with Danks...

Agreed and who knows. Danks could get a fluke injury or something could happen with Texas' coaching staff that makes him change his mind. It was a real good risk the Sox took when they drafted him.

 

However, if most of the early picks sign I don't think the Sox will do much with Danks, but you never know what can happen. Until he attends classes there is always a chance.

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QUOTE(Randar68 @ Jun 15, 2005 -> 03:26 AM)
Yeah, draft-eligible sophomore that apparently wasn't rated as highly due to signability doubts and exposure...  Appears to be a better pick than originally thought.  Without a second rounder, and having drafted him before and obviously having had discussions with him 2 years ago, they must feel they can sign him or they wouldn't have taken him, IMO...

 

If they can sign those first 10-14 picks this year, I'll be thrilled no matter what happens with Danks...

Here's what John Sickels said on Brooks again;

 

Brooks is a draft-eligible sophomore and may be a tough sign, but if he signs he's a fine prospect

 

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere the Sox thought of Brooks as a 2nd round pick talent wise.

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Oh, this may have been posted already, but there was this bit of news from an old article on Brooks and Getz;

 

Having spurned pro careers in favor of college a few years ago, Brooks and Getz are expected to make their Pioneer League debuts with the Great Falls White Sox in a few weeks. Although neither has signed yet with the Sox, Duane Shaffer said it's likely both would be assigned to Great Falls.

 

"Brooks is a great kid, with a great mentality on the mound," said Shaffer, Chicago's senior director of player personnel. "I think you'll be happy with him up there."

 

We've had a great rapport with him since we drafted him in high school," Shaffer said. "He's ready to go, a good kid with real good speed."

 

Shaffer said eighth-round selection Clayton Richard, a teammate of Getz's at Michigan, could also start his pro career in Great Falls. Richard, a left-handed closer for the Wolverines, was also the school's backup quarterback on the football team. He's a 6-4 southpaw.

 

"A semi-sidearm guy who gets it up there at 92 or 93 (mph)," said Shaffer. "He'll probably get a chance to be closing some games for you."

http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/pbcs.../506100346/1006

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