[baseonballs]

Matt Spalding, St. Xavier High School, Louisville, KY, signed with the Boston Red Sox after long negotiations through the summer. He is excited about being a part of one of the best organizations in baseball and playing the game that he loves. The decision to put his college education on hold was a very difficult one; though as an excellent student, he has looked at ways to obtain his degree. Recently he traveled to Boston to complete a physical examination in order to pave the way to complete negotiations before the signing deadline of August 15. He was able to come to terms with the Red Sox to help financially jump start his adult life and received the highest bonus offer from the Red Sox of any high school right-handed pitcher that they drafted this year. While this step of signing a professional contract is a milestone, his overall goal is to work hard and learn in order to play major league baseball. Jon Adkins, the area scout for the Red Sox, is of similar physical build and was a power pitcher while playing ten years professionally. He could be a good mentor for Spalding as well.

Spalding visited Boston and participated with other Red Sox drafted players June 22 and 23 at the Red Sox Classic at Fenway Park and met with the organization. The Boston Red Sox are committed to be the top organization in baseball. The Red Sox put in time, effort, and money in order to help their players develop to their fullest potential. They have state of the art facilities as well as the preeminent coaches and trainers in baseball. Spalding will report to Florida for the remainder of the season in the Gulf Coast League then also participate in the fall instructional league in Fort Myers, FL.

[Stardust]

Lots of KY players opting for the Majors this year

[Stars and Stripes]

I'm glad he chose to go to professional baseball. While scouts had some questions about his long-term future as a starting pitcher, he has a power arsenal and advanced feel for pitching...probably was the most physical 'pro-ready' pitcher with his FB/SL combination in the state, and I would not be surprised if he had lots of immedeate success at lower levels of the minors.