Washington draft pick Sean Black skipped his first day of college yesterday, keeping negotiations between the Nationals and their second-round selection alive for at least one more day.
Black, 18, was scheduled to attend his first class at Seton Hall at 11:30 a.m. yesterday. If he had attended class, the Nationals would have lost his rights and Black would have been eligible to re-enter the draft after his junior season at Seton Hall.
However, the hard-throwing right-hander from Mount Laurel, N.J., was not in class, according to a baseball source, a promising sign as talks between the Nationals, Black, and his adviser, Adam Katz, continue.
"We don't have any confirmation," of Black attending class, said Seton Hall sports information contact Dana Johnson.
Black was the 59th pick in June's First-Year Player Draft, but he was expected to go higher, and because he slipped in the draft, Black is seeking a signing bonus significantly higher than what the 59th pick has received over the last three drafts: an average of approximately $600,000.
Shortstop Stephen King was drafted in the third round by the Nationals despite a strong commitment to Louisiana State, but the Nationals convinced him to forgo college with $750,000 and a $100,000 tuition stipend.
The 58th pick in the draft, shortstop Ryan Adams, received $675,000 from the Baltimore Orioles, according to Baseball America. The 60th pick, shortstop Brent Brewer, got $600,000 from Milwaukee.
The Nationals drafted high schoolers with six of their first eight picks and Black is the only unsigned prospect left.
He is also the highest remaining unsigned high school selection from the draft, and one of two unsigned players in the entire first and second round.
Calls to Black's cell phone and home phone were not returned yesterday. Nationals general manager Jim Bowden declined to comment on the negotiations.
"I kind of want to play baseball and it's getting to the point where we hope we figure something out, but it's definitely going to be a price because school is definitely a great option for me, too," Black said in a phone interview Aug. 22. "It's not going to be easy."
O'Connor, F. Rodriguez upLeft-hander Mike O'Connor was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans and will start today against the St. Louis Cardinals.
O'Connor strained the flexor tendon in his left elbow and hasn't started since July 29. He was 3-7 with a 5.12 ERA in 16 starts with the Nationals.
Reliever Felix Rodriguez was also activated from the 60-day disabled list. Rodriguez had a 6.85 ERA in 24 games with the Nationals, but had been on the disabled list since May 20 with right shoulder tendinitis. In nine rehabilitation outings between Single-A Potomac and Triple-A New Orleans, he had a 7.84 ERA.
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Email: tjacobson@freelancestar.com