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ASU baseball’s top recruit gets deadline extension, signs pro deal
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Since Eric Hosmer was drafted third overall by the Kansas City Royals in June, it was expected that the big-hitting first baseman would never play at Arizona State, his college choice.
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However, as Friday’s 9 p.m. (Arizona time) signing deadline approached — and passed — it seemed as if the Sun Devils, whose roster and recruiting haul were decimated by the draft, would retain one of the nation’s top prospects.
Then, ASU coach Pat Murphy said, both sides were given an extension by the commissioner’s office. With that extra time, Hosmer and the Royals reached a deal that includes a signing bonus of $6 million.
“It really looked like we were going to get him,” Murphy said. “So close, so close.”
As expected, outfielder Jason Kipnis is returning to ASU after opting not to sign with the San Diego Padres, who picked him in the fourth round. None of the other still-unsigned Sun Devil recruits agreed to pro deals.
Johnny Coy, a basketball commit who was taken by the Philadelphia Phillies in the seventh round, did not sign and will play both sports at ASU. Coy is an infielder/outfielder.
Those developments were good news for Murphy, but — on Friday, at least — they could not soothe the disappointment of the one that got away.
Hosmer, who hit .470 with 11 home runs and 27 RBIs as a high school senior in Plantation, Fla., is represented by super-agent Scott Boras.
“He had an interest in coming to school, and he kept turning down $5.5 million,” Murphy said. “After 9 o’clock, he texted us and said that he was coming to school.
“But they got an extension — from what we heard, the commissioner’s office was backlogged with all the late signings — and he got $6 million. I’m happy for the kid, but that was a tough break for us.”
The Sun Devils, who lost to eventual national champion Fresno State in an NCAA tournament super regional last season, return just four regulars: Kipnis, ace pitcher Mike Leake, second baseman Raoul Torrez and right fielder Matt Newman.
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