Three days and counting

There are less than three days remaining until Friday's deadline to sign 2008 draft picks and three names should have a lot of interest to local baseball fans.

Neither of the Pirates top two draft picks – third baseman Pedro Alvarez and pitcher Tanner Scheppers – have signed yet. Scheppers threw a bullpen session of about 30 pitches in the bullpen before Tuesday's game with the Reds. The session was to make sure Scheppers is recovered from a shoulder injury he had earlier this season. It appears that the Pirates will make a contract offer within the next day or so.

Alvarez is the one everyone is watching. Both the Pirates and Alvarez's agent – Scott Boras – have been pretty hush-hush about the negotiations. Though this one will likely go into Friday, perhaps late Friday evening, I still see a deal getting done. Though this is an important signing for the Pirates for several reasons, it makes sense for for Alvarez to sign. Another year in college will likely hurt his value, along with another year away from prospect status.

Also, we'll see by Saturday at midnight whether Peters Township's Jordan Jankowski will sign with the Astros or head to college. Jankowski, a 34th-round selection by Houston, has a full scholarship waiting at Miami of Ohio. My hunch is that he is going to school, though that is pure speculation. Usually, players who are drafted that low sign as soon as possible so that they can get out and play that first season. Since Jankowski hasn't signed yet, I'm guessing he'll be playing in the Mid-American Conference for the next three or four years.