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Pfeifer, Wiseman Sign with Dodgers and Nats

They haven't released the terms of Wiseman's deal yet, so I'll update this later in the day..

By Andrew VU '04
I'm assuming he had a similarly positive attitude when cashing that check.
I'm assuming he had a similarly positive attitude when cashing that check.
Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports

As was reported yesterday in fellow SBNation blog True Blue LA, LHP Philip Pfeifer agreed to terms with the Dodgers.  This deal likely impacts Walker Buehler's bonus, as before signing Pfeifer and Sborz yesterday, the Dodgers were $676,400 over slot on their previous deals.  In addition to Buehler, they will be trying to sign supplemental first rounder Louisville RHP Kyle "Marty" Funkhouser and a 6th round 1B I've never heard of.  Of course, the Dodgers have more money than God, and might not give a crap about the penalties for going over their allotment, so you never know.

This morning, MLB.com reported that Pfeifer's deal was for $222,500 (slot value was $564,700).  With Virginia closer Josh Sborz agreeing to a deal that was about $100,000 under slot, this means the Dodgers will likely have to offer slightly under slot deals to their unsigned first rounders.

Pfeifer, who was not on the team for their 2014 National Championship due to drug and alcohol issues, experienced a rejuvenation in 2015, and showed once again that he possesses a major league arm.  Not only did he experience a comeback on the mound, Pfeifer had major league successes off the mound, as he graduated with a degree in Philosophy this May.  No word on where the Dodgers will send him (likely low A ball, though, if I had to guess), but Pfeifer has a chance to be a fast riser in their system, especially if they put him on the fast track to their bullpen.  If they try to stretch out his arm as a starter, which they will likely attempt first, it could take a few years, as LA has an exceptionally deep rotation.

In more draft signing news, OF Rhett "The Natural" Wiseman has agreed to terms with the Washington Nationals.  The parameters if the deal have not yet been released, but as soon as they are, I'll post an article about it.

Wiseman will be sent to Class A Short Season Auburn in the New York Penn League, where he will be joined in the outfield by LSU CF Andrew Stevenson and noted character actor Luiz Guzman, apparently.  Mariano Rivera's kid is in the bullpen, too, for those who care about the sons of future Hall of Famer's.  Here's the home page of the Auburn Doubledays... and oh hell, I just got that pun.

Being a Vanderbilt student, Dansby Swanson made sure to correct his grammar:

Thank you, Dansby.  That would have driven us all nuts.

Here's the updated draft signings list:

2015 MLB Draft Signings Tracker (Vanderbilt Edition):

1. ARI Dansby Swanson - SS Vanderbilt

8. CHW Carson Fulmer - RHP Vanderbilt - $3,470,600 (exact slot value)

24. LAD Walker Buehler - RHP Vanderbilt

33. KC Nolan Watson - RHP Lawrence North HS (Ind.) - $1,825,200 (exact slot value)

42. CLE Triston McKenzie - RHP Royal Palm Beach HS (Fla.) - $2,302,500 ($834,100 over slot)

66. STL Bryce Denton - 3B Ravenwood HS (Tenn.) - $1,200,000 ($264,600 over slot)

101. LAD Philip Pfeifer - LHP Vanderbilt - $222,500 ($342,200 below slot)

103. WSH Rhett Wiseman - OF Vanderbilt - signed on 7/9 (amount not known)

113. CHC Darryl Wilson - OF Canton South HS (Ohio) - $1,300,000 ($800k over slot)

168. TEX Tyler Ferguson - RHP Vanderbilt - $200,000 ($96,000 below slot)

Rounds 11-40

12th. MIN Zander Wiel - 1B Vanderbilt

19th. TEX Xavier Turner - 3B Vanderbilt - Signed on 6/15 (amount not known)

24th. TOR Reggie Pruitt - OF Kennesaw Mountain HS (Georgia) - $500,000 ($400k over slot)

29th. MIL Donny Everett - RHP Clarksville HS (Tenn,)

30th. CLE Chandler Day - RHP Watkins Memorial HS (Ohio)

36th. CHC Alonzo Jones - SS Columbus HS (Georgia)

39th. CHC John Kilichowski - LHP Vanderbilt

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