Middleton star nears contract with White Sox

Not even two months have passed since Nevin Griffith played his final game in a Middleton uniform, but the standout pitcher already is getting antsy.

By Keith Niebuhr, Times Correspondent
Published June 26, 2007

TAMPA - Not even two months have passed since Nevin Griffith played his final game in a Middleton uniform, but the standout pitcher already is getting antsy.

"I'm ready to get out and start playing again, " he said.

Very soon, Griffith may get his wish.

The Chicago White Sox, who selected Griffith with the 89th pick in the recent Major League Baseball amateur draft, extended a formal contract offer to Griffith late last week. Griffith said he expects to chose between the White Sox and a scholarship to Florida International by week's end.

"Me and my parents are thinking it over, " Griffith said.

All along, Griffith has leaned toward turning pro.

"I don't think it's going to be a tough (decision), " Griffith said. "I really want to sign. It's my parents. They want to look out for me. They want what's best for me and to make sure everything is right before I sign on the dotted line."

If the 6-foot-3, 185-pound Griffith, a first-team Times All-Hillsborough County selection, does sign with the White Sox, he can expect to receive a nice chunk of change. According to Baseball America, the average signing bonus over the past four years for a player taken 89th in the draft is $381, 333.

[Last modified June 25, 2007, 21:19:46]