Club gambles pitcher won't say no 3 times

© St. Petersburg Times
published June 5, 2002

ST. PETERSBURG -- When Matt Harrington came out of California's Palmdale High in 2000, he was considered the top right-handed prep pitcher in the country and was the seventh overall pick by Colorado.

Today, he is a 13th-round pick by the Rays.

In between, he turned down the Rockies' top offer of $3.7-million, had a nasty split with agent Tommy Tanzer, pitched for St. Paul in the independent Northern League, signed on with agent Scott Boras, went back in the draft and turned down $1.25-million from the Padres when they took him in the second round last year, and is pitching his way back into shape with the Long Beach Breakers in the independent Western League.

"We saw him in high school and like his ability tremendously," Rays scouting director Dan Jennings said. "We're glad to have the opportunity to negotiate with him, and what we can hope is that he's ready to begin his career as a professional baseball player and get into an organization where he can get the main thing he needs, and that's development.

"He needs to be in a structured program where he knows every fifth day that he's going to get the ball and go out and compete against kids his own experience level and own age. So we're very excited about the opportunity to bring him into the Devil Rays organization."

Jennings said Harrington's velocity is "not what it was in high school, but it's still enough to be considered as prospect. He's still big and strong, he still lacks the breaking pitch."

The Rays will make an offer based on what they consider Harrington's current value to be. With Boras as his agent, it's likely Harrington will want more, perhaps as much as $2.5-million. Jennings said the Rays are hoping scout Fred Repke's close relationship with the Harrington family will help.

"If he's going to be a major-leaguer somewhere he's got to open the door and jump out there," Jennings said.

GOOD REVIEWS: Jennings couldn't have been much happier with the Rays' first-day haul of 14 pitchers (three lefties), five outfielders, two catchers and one very talented shortstop. "We are very pleased with the draft we had, with the time and commitment put in and the results," Jennings said. "I don't think there's a better scouting staff in baseball."

The draft, which has finished 22 rounds and can last 50, continues today from noon-6.

MONEY MATTERS: Baseball America reported B.J. Upton, the Rays' top pick, rejected a $4-million offer from Pittsburgh that would have made him the top pick. Manny Upton, B.J.'s father, said that wasn't the case. "I can't remember turning down $4-million dollars," he said.

INTERESTING POSSIBILITY: Romelio Lopez, the 18th-round pick, has an intriguing background. According to Baseball America, Lopez turned down $800,000 to sign out of his native Venezuela in 2000, moved to Texas but wasn't eligible to pitch until one of his parents established residency, then made just two starts, but showed off a 94-plus mph fastball.

BROTHERLY LOVE: The Rays knew the bloodlines were good when they drafted Santa Clara outfielder Joey Gomes in the eighth round. His younger brother, Jonny, was MVP of the Appalachian League last year after they took him in the 18th round.

Jonny Gomes was just named to the California League All-Star team and leads Class A Bakersfield in slugging percentage and on-base percentage.

"We did it backward, but I'm glad to have him," Jennings said. "At our last workout he cornered me in the dugout and said, "Hey, don't forget me now. I want to play with Jonny. The Gomes brothers need to ride together. We're going to make you look real smart.' "

MISCELLANY: Outfielder Blair Irvin, the 12th-round pick, signed to play football at Notre Dame, switched to Florida when the Irish changed coaches, then switched to LSU when Steve Spurrier left the Gators. ... David Bush, who didn't sign when the Rays took him in the fourth round last year, went 55th overall to Toronto.