Top Draft Pick Gets $2.08-Million Bonus

BALTIMORE —  High school pitcher Joe Torres signed with the Angels on Sunday for $2.08 million, the second-largest bonus ever awarded by the team, and the Angels’ top pick in the June 5 draft will report to Class-A Boise, Ida., next Sunday to begin his professional career.

“Like I said [the day I was drafted], I wanted to get out there and play,” said Torres, a 17-year-old left-hander who was the 10th overall pick. “I understand the pressures of being a top pick and getting a big bonus. I’m ready for it. I don’t think I’m more special than anyone else. I have to prove myself, just like everyone.”

While many first-round picks take months to sign, Torres and the Angels had remarkably smooth negotiations, the bonus ranking only slightly lower than the $2.25 million Troy Glaus received as the third pick in 1997.

Donny Rowland, the Angels’ director of scouting, held a four-hour meeting with Torres, his parents and advisor, and scout Tom Kotchman in Florida on Thursday, the sides agreed to the framework of a deal Friday night and hammered out the details Saturday.

“We talked one day, and the next day it was settled,” said Torres, a 6-foot-3, 180-pounder whose curveball was considered one of the best in the draft. “It was as simple as that.”

David Sloane, Torres’ advisor, said it was important for Torres, who doesn’t turn 18 until Sept. 3, to play as close to a full season as he could this summer.

“The holdouts benefit the agents more than the kids,” Sloane said. “If Joe has a good year in Boise, maybe he’ll go to the [high-A] California League next year instead of the [low-A] Midwest League, and he’ll be that much closer to the big leagues.

“Every right for players is based on service time, and it’s best to get that clock started sooner than later. I’m not going to ruin a kid’s career to pad my bank account.”

Torres, whose fastball has hit 96 mph, went 4-4 with an 0.38 earned-run average this season for Gateway High in Kissimmee, Fla. He struck out 128, gave up only 13 hits in 55 innings and was rated the third-best high school prospect in the nation by Baseball America.

His deal does not include a spring-training invitation or any clause requiring the team to call him up by a specific time, but the Angels said they will make a good-faith effort to invite him to spring training next year. The deal does include an additional $70,000 in college funds for Torres, who had signed a letter of intent with the University of Miami.

With Torres in the fold, the Angels will turn their attention to Chris Bootcheck, the Auburn pitcher who was the 20th overall pick in the draft. Negotiations aren’t expected to be as easy: Bootcheck’s attorney is Scott Boras, whose negotiations involving high-round picks are often protracted.

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Reserve outfielder Orlando Palmeiro hasn’t replaced designated hitter Scott Spiezio in the lineup, but his performance has forced Manager Mike Scioscia to find more at-bats for Palmeiro at the expense of Spiezio.

Palmeiro had two hits, including a hit-and-run single in the five-run third inning, and a run batted in Sunday and is batting .333. He has started four of the past six games, three in the outfield and one at DH, and Scioscia usually starts the outfielder Palmeiro replaces at DH, often forcing Spiezio to the bench.

In addition to his solid defense--Palmeiro threw out Cal Ripken attempting to stretch a single into the left-field corner into a double Friday night--Palmeiro has a .435 on-base percentage and is batting .353 (six for 17) with runners in scoring position.

“Orlando does a lot of good things--he’s a great on-base percentage guy and a great situational player--about the only thing he doesn’t have is power,” Scioscia said. “We don’t really have a full-time DH. Spiezio, Palmeiro and [Edgard] Clemente will continue to fill the role. But right now Orlando is doing a great job.”

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Sunday’s victory gave the Angels a 4-2 record at Camden Yards in 2000, the first time since 1978 the Angels have won a season series in Baltimore since 1978. . . . Pitcher Scott Schoeneweis, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained right rib-cage muscle Friday night, will undergo an MRI test Tuesday in Orange County.