Orioles prospect Brian Matusz showed the repertoire and poise that made him the first pitcher picked in the 2008 draft during his first home start for the High-A Frederick Keys on April 19. The left-hander scattered seven hits through six innings by setting up a sharp curve with a 91 to 94 mile per hour [...]

The Detroit Free Press is reporting that the Detroit Tigers have signed 1st round pick Ryan Perry. The signing bonus is said to be $1.48 million. Perry said that the Tigers would like him “to be in the big leagues…once the rosters are expanded” on Sept. 1, and that he will start the season in Class A Lakeland [...]

The Oakland A's announced today that they have agreed to terms with Jemile Weeks, their first round selection from the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.
From the A's press release (if you didn't already know Jemile's story)…
Weeks earned first team All-ACC honors this year at the University of Miami and batted .363 with 13 home runs and [...]

The Tampa Bay Rays today signed shortstop Tim Beckham, the first overall pick in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft.  Beckham, 18, was drafted by the Rays out of Griffin High School in Griffin, GA on June 5.  Beckham, who received a $6.15 million signing bonus, will report to the Rays Appalachian League affiliate in Princeton, [...]

Now that the first and supplemental rounds are in the books, there are several intriguing names that remain available in the 2008 amateur draft. Whether signability or other issues are to blame, the talent level still available is sure to make some organizations extremely happy during the rest of day one.
Here's a list of hot [...]

And now, the rest of the first round…
21. Ryan Perry, RHP, Detroit Tigers (U. of Arizona)
College reliever, throws mid-90s. Fastball doesn't move a lot and command sometimes wavers. Good slider, but inconsistent.   
Quotes:
“The Tigers organization is pleased to select Ryan Perry today,” Tigers Vice President, Amateur Scouting David Chadd said. “We look forward to adding a [...]

16. Brett Lawrie, C/INF, Milwaukee Brewers (Brookswood SS, Langley, B.C.)
Big-time power, defense is a question. Compared to Craig Biggio and Dan Uggla. Probably a bit of a reach here.  
Quotes:
 “We are happy to have selected a player that is very aggressive and is a multiple position performer” said Vice President/Special Assistant to the General Manager for [...]

11. Justin Smoak, 1B, Texas Rangers (U. of South Carolina)
Often the forgotten man among the upper echelon of the power bats, Justin Smoak has done nothing but mash since he stepped foot in Columbia a few years ago. Coming into the season as the #3 overall collegiate prospect by Baseball America, the junior has done [...]

6. Kyle Skipworth, C, Florida Marlins (Patriot HS, Calif.)
Considered the best prep catcher since Joe Mauer, Skipworth draws praise for his hitting, power, and arm. He still has work to do behind the plate in terms of footwork and mechanics, but there's a lot to like here.

Baseball America
MLB.com

7. Yonder Alonso, 1B, Cincinnati Reds (U. [...]

Just a quick note from the draft currently airing on ESPN2. Due to Florida State catcher Buster Posey's contract demands, another player has fell from where he was projected at the outset of this process.
Justin Smoak, who was the third highest rated collegiate prospect according to Baseball America, seemed destined to join the San Francisco [...]