Matt Hobgood, the Orioles' first-round pick in Tuesday's amateur draft, expects to take a physical in Baltimore in two weeks, and barring any unforeseen developments, he will sign a contract June 27.
"That's the plan. We've pretty much got [the contract] set," said Hobgood, a 6-foot-4, 245-pound right-handed pitcher from Norco High in suburban Los Angeles. "Nothing is final, but [the Orioles] presented us a deal and we'll work something out. I'll for sure sign on that Saturday."
Hobgood, the fifth overall pick in the draft, presumably will be introduced to the Camden Yards crowd June 27 during a game against the regional rival Washington Nationals.
"We don't have anything finalized yet. We're going to have to get him into town; we never sign any of these kids without a complete physical," Orioles director of amateur scouting Joe Jordan said. "We are getting close, but we have a few things to get settled first.
"I've said from the beginning we thought this would be quicker than the past couple of years. The kid is excited, but we have to get him into Baltimore first."
Financial terms have not been officially agreed upon, but Hobgood likely will receive a bonus in the $2.5 million range, which was Major League Baseball's recommended offer for the fifth slot in 2008.
It is just a suggestion, however, and the San Francisco Giants gave catcher Buster Posey a record-setting $6.2 million signing bonus as the No. 5 pick last year.
Hobgood's payday likely would be more in line with baseball's recommendation. The sixth overall pick in last year's draft, the Florida Marlins' Kyle Skipworth, received a $2.3 million bonus, while the Orioles gave the fourth overall pick, college left-hander Brian Matusz, a $3.2 million major league deal.
In 2007, the Orioles gave college catcher Matt Wieters a then-record $6 million bonus at the fifth slot, but Pittsburgh Pirates lefty Daniel Moskos, the fourth pick, signed for $2.475 million.
Hobgood, who graduated from high school Thursday, is expected to fly to Baltimore on June 25, take a physical the next day and then become official Orioles property the day after.
An 18-year-old who has a mid-90s fastball and three other pitches he can command for strikes, Hobgood went 11-1 with a 0.92 ERA for Norco this past season.
He struck out 101 batters and walked 26 in 68 1/3 innings while hitting 21 homers and batting .475 as a first baseman - numbers that earned him the Gatorade National Baseball Player of the Year Award.
