Rangers Fail To Reach Agreement With Top Draft Pick

As the midnight deadline to sign top draft picks came and went last night, it passed with the Texas Rangers unable to reach a contract agreement with top pick Matthew Purke.

Texas reportedly offered Purke a $4 million package. Purke's representatives were said to be asking for $6 million.

"It's disappointing," Rangers general manager Jon Daniels said. "We drafted a player we intended to sign, and for all the right reasons. We couldn't make it work."

Purke will now attend Texas Christian University and is not eligle to be re-drafted for two years. The Rangers will recieve the 15th pick in next years First Year Player Draft to compensate for losing this years pick.



"We'd prefer to get [Purke] in a Rangers uniform," Daniels said. "You'd like to add a premium talent, but this was one we couldn't afford to add."

When Purke was initially drafted by Texas and the idea of playing for his home state team (Purke attended Klein High School in Klein, Tx) was thought to appeal greatly to the young pitcher. Purke even went so far as to say he would be an "easy sign." He proved to be anything but.

"The biggest issue was money. The communication was good. Both sides were clear as to what they wanted to do, it just didn't match up. I don't have any issues with how they handled it," Daniels said. "Every player and every family has to make a decision on how they value themselves and what they want to do with their careers. Matthew made a decision and we have no choice but to respect it."

Rangers Select Lefty In 1st Round Of Amateur Draft

Player Name: Matthew Purke
Position: Starting Pitcher
School: Klein HS (Tex.)
School Type: High school
Academic Class: Senior
Birthdate: 7/17/90
Height: 6'3"
Weight: 180 lbs.
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Report Date(s): 3/12/09
Game(s): Cypress Creek HS, Texas

-Fastball: Purke showed velocity a tick above average, sitting at 92-93 mph. He topped out at 95 mph.
-Fastball movement: It has tailing life to the arm side.
-Curve: It's kind of between a curve and a slider. It has more of a curve break, with good rotation and depth. He thew it about 78 mph with late break to it.
-Changeup: Has a good changeup.
-Control: He has good command and moves the ball around the zone well.
-Poise: He's pitched in big games and rises to the occasion.
-Physical Description: Purke is a lean, wiry, thin-waisted left-hander. He's projectable, but needs to add some strength.
-Medical Update: Healthy.
-Strengths: Three average to above-average pitches. Good command, projectable body.
-Weaknesses: He's a little too slender, leading some to worry about durabilty.
-Summary: When conversations arise about the top prep lefties in the class, Purke is on the short list. With three excellent offerings and command of them, to go along with a projectable frame, Purke's name comes up early and often. There might be a small concern about his durabilty because he's a little too slender, but that won't be enough to keep him from being taken high up on Draft day.

It is believed that Purke (who is already commited to TCU) will want some serious money up front to skip college.