Brien Taylor, the No. 1 pick in the June draft, apparently will turn down the New York Yankees' latest offer and attend Louisburg College in Raleigh, N.C.
The school said that Bettie Taylor, Brien's mother, called to confirm that her 19-year-old son would report for freshman orientation Sunday.
Taylor reportedly has refused a contract offer worth about $650,000. He and his mother have been seeking a three-year, $1.2 million deal.
The Yankees had no comment, and neither Taylor nor his mother could be reached for comment.
Taylor, a 6-foot-4, 210-pound left-hander, throws a fastball that has been timed at 98 mph. He was named USA Today High School Baseball Player of the Year after striking out 213 batters in 88 innings.
* REDS: Manager Lou Piniella, who was sued for $5 million by baseball's umpires union for criticizing umpire Gary Darling, is expected to disclose his next legal step today.
