Here's a nice article on Pirates third-round pick Mel Rojas Jr. in the PSU Daily Collegian. Rojas recently signed and is starting his career in State College. It's always nice to see an early-round draft pick sign soon after the draft - it can really give a player a shortcut. By the time many high-profile draftees sign, the minor league season is almost over, and they can't do much of anything until the following year. Rojas, though, wanted to get started quickly:
↵↵↵Rojas, who is the highest Pirates' 2010 draft pick to sign a contract, has batted leadoff and played centerfield in all four of his games thus far. The 6-foot-3, 200 pound switch-hitter has five hits in 17 at-bats with four runs scored, and has already flashed his leather a few times in the outfield.
↵"I'm glad to be here," Rojas said after his home debut Tuesday night. "My agent was talking about waiting until [the Aug. 16 deadline to sign 2010 draft picks who have not exhausted college eligibility] to get more money but I told him no because I just want to play. I don't care about the money."
↵
The Pirates shouldn't prioritize a player's willingness to sign early over his upside, but there's no indication they did that with Rojas - he was a very good talent to be chosen in the third round. His willingness to get to work quickly is just a bonus.