Dodgers Sign #3 Selection Garrett Gould

It was just a small, two-line item in the Dodgers notes that read simply, "The Dodgers today signed second-round draft selection Garrett Gould, a 6-foot-4 right-handed pitcher from Maize (KS) High School, just outside of Wichita. Los Angeles has signed each of its first 11 picks from the first 10 rounds of the 2009 draft."

There will probably be the usual medical exam before he iron-clad signing notification will be announced in a press release but look for that very soon.

For those Dodgers minor league fans who have been out of the country for a year or so, this is a really big signing.

The Kansas 6-A pitcher of the year in 2008, when he broke big leaguer Nate Robertson's Maize High record with 95 strikeouts in 57 innings, many projected him as a first round pick. In the quarterfinals of the World Wood Bat Association championship last October, he allowed just one hit and one walk while fanning 18 in eight shutout innings.

However, the young man is from Wichita and had a full scholarship to play baseball at that prestigious institution to fall back on in case he didn't received the high offer he had expected, some say would exceed $1 million.

Because of his high demands, he slipped from a first round pick and the Dodgers were delighted he was still available in the second round (the Dodgers had two supplemental picks), becoming the 65th player chosen in the nation.

Logan White told LADugout in June that he had the best breaking ball in the entire draft to go with a 91-94 mph fastball that comes from a high three-quarters arm slot. He also perfecting a changeup.

Scouts are divided about his mechanics, some worry about the effort and others rave about how he extends his 6-4, 200-pound frame to get good extension.

Gould was a quality quarterback in football and as a forward in basketball before deciding to concentrate on baseball as a senior. He plays the outfield when he's not pitching and had enough right handed power to play both ways at Wichita State.

Baseball's Aug. 15 cutoff for signing draft picks is developing much more suspense this year than is normal. Players who do not sign go back into the draft next season.