The countdown clock ticked down toward midnight, and the news was still trickling out, even with Twitter flashing constant updates.

Major League Baseball succeeded in one regard with its strategy to the 2010 draft signing period. It cut off information and pressured clubs and agents not to release any signing bonuses or rumors. In 2009, 57 players drafted in the first 10 rounds were unsigned on the deadline day. In 2010, that total climbed to 79.

But when all was said and done, MLB did not drive down prices, and the first round saw three unsigned picks, the first time that has happened since 1989 (excluding the 1996 draft, when four first-rounders were declared free agents). And plenty of money was still spent as every supplemental first-rounder and second-rounder and all but one third-rounder signed.

Here's a recap of the headlines:

1. Bryce Harper signs for largest contract given to position player. Harper apparently has received a major league contract for $10.9 million—with $9.9 million guaranteed and $1 million in roster bonuses—with a signing bonus of $6.25 million. The Nationals got last-minute deals done in each of the last two seasons with the No. 1 overall picks Harper and Stephen Strasburg.

2. The Dodgers signed Louisiana State football quarterback recruit Zack Lee with their first-round pick, getting him done for a $5.25 million bonus spread over five years per MLB's two-sport contract language. he gives up football to be a Dodger. Another quarterback, Clemson's Kyle Parker, signed a contract with the Rockies for $1.4 million that allows him to play football this fall for the Tigers.

3. Three first-round picks didn't sign—the most unsigned first-rounders since 1996, the year of draft loophole free agents, and first non-loophole —with two surprises. The Diamondbacks didn't sign No. 7 overall pick Barret Loux, which was no surprise after he failed a physical in July.  However, the Padres didn't work out a deal with No. 9 pick Karsten Whitson, a Florida prep righthander. And a late diagnosis of diabetes scuttled a proposed deal between the Brewers and No. 14 selection Dylan Covey, a prep righty who chose to go to San Diego for college instead of signing to ease his transition into treating his condition.

4. The Pirates spent big—very big—on their high school righthanders. First-rounder Jameson Taillon, the No. 2 overall pick, signed for a $6.5 million bonus, the biggest bonus any player received this year, while second-rounder Stetson Allie got $2.25 million. The Pirates' total draft expenditure was expected to approach $12 million.

5. The Tigers set a record by giving Miami prep infielder Nick Castellanos the largest bonus in supplemental first-round history, at $3.45 million. The Yankees gave fourth-round pick Mason Williams a $1.45 million bonus, but that was beaten earlier in the weekend for a fourth-round record when the Nationals gave Florida prep righty A.J. Cole a $2 million bonus.