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For the fourth straight year, the Tigers are going to make a huge splash with an above-slot deal in the first round. After signing Justin Verlander (2004), Cameron Maybin (2005) and Andrew Miller (2006), Detroit is closing in on a record deal with New Jersey high school righthander Rick Porcello.

Porcello, a consensus top-five talent in the 2007 draft, fell to the Tigers at No. 27 overall because of reports he and adviser Scott Boras wanted a deal comparable to the $7 million major league contractÂ Josh Beckett received as the No.Â 2 overall pick in the 1999 draft. Porcello reportedly willÂ match Beckett’s record for the highest guarantee ever given to a high school player, getting a $7 million big league deal that includes a $3.5 million bonus.

[Editorâ€™s note: Porcello's contract information was updated on Aug. 14.]Â

MLB’sÂ bonus recommendation for the 27th pickÂ was $1.17 million. Had Porcello not signed, he would have attended North Carolina.

Porcello’s deal will tie for the fourth-highest guarantee ever given to a draft pick signing with the club that selected him. Mark Prior (No. 2 overall, Cubs, 2001) signed a $10.5 million big league contract, followed by Mark Teixeira (No. 5, Rangers, 2001) at $9.5 million and Pat Burrell (No. 1, Phillies, 1998) at $8 million. Besides Beckett, J.D. Drew (No. 4, Cardinals, 1998) also received $7 million.

Matt White signed a $10.2 million contract with the Devil Rays as a high schooler in 1996, after a draft loophole rendered him a free agent.

Contributing: John Manuel.

What is the break down if any between the Angels and Matt Harvey?

is there any chance of him signing?

thanks

Posted by Jeff Kaplan | August 14, 2007 at 2:41 am | Shortcut

Take that Yankees!!! We have Porcello!!

Posted by Steve Liddell | August 14, 2007 at 4:12 am | Shortcut

[...] The deal appears to be for something north of $7 million and Baseball America reports that it is a Major League contract. This is significant, more significant than the money, because it means that Porcello is placed on the 40 man roster immediately. And with that comes an option year this season. But I believe due to his age at time of signing, he’ll get a 4th option year meaning that the Tigers won’t have to put him on the big league roster until 2011. [...]

Posted by The Detroit Tiger Weblog » Blog Archive » Tigers ink Rick Porcello, irritate Selig | August 14, 2007 at 4:36 am | Shortcut

[...] Baseball America is reporting that the Tigers are on the verge of signing Rick Porcello to a $7.7 million contract.Â I know most really wanted Porcello when the Cards’ picked, myself included, but that money is totally ridiculous.Â [...]

Posted by Rasmus injured and the Cardinals sign Zawacki « Whiteyball | August 14, 2007 at 6:08 am | Shortcut

[...] Rick Porcello is about to become a very, very rich man kid.Â There’s a chance the Porcello deal could affect how much the Yanks give Andrew Brackman, but frankly, they’re rumored to already be giving him $3M, which is more than anyone else would have offered. [...]

Posted by Draft signing grumblings at River Ave. Blues | August 14, 2007 at 9:04 am | Shortcut

Not looking good on the Angels getting Harvey. I’d be surprised if that happened.

Posted by Jim Callis | August 14, 2007 at 9:27 am | Shortcut

I know Porcello is a bad man, but I am never a fan of giving a MLB contract to a kid who 2 months ago was at his senior prom…..it just puts too much pressure on him when there is no need for that….he’ll be ready when he is ready…..whether he comes up at 21 or 22, what’s the difference in the big picture….but that’s just my view

Posted by EdWhitson | August 14, 2007 at 12:54 pm | Shortcut

[...] This is a great addition for Detroit, but it’s got to be something of a slap in the face of Selig and MLB, which recommended a signing bonus of $1.17 million for the 27th pick this year. Of course, you could argue that Porcello slipped so far because of his reported demands. And that brings us to the uncomfortable question of why, exactly, MLB even has a draft… baseball, bud selig, detroit tigers, draft, mlb, rick porcelloShare This [...]

Posted by Porcello Signs with Tigers | August 14, 2007 at 6:23 pm | Shortcut

[...] prep arm in the 2007 Draft and the best prep arm since Josh Beckett–and he was paid as such, receiving a $7 million dollar big league deal with a $3.5 million bonus. Since he signed, the buzz has been significant, with every writer you can imagine fawning over the [...]

Posted by Saber-Scouting | April 16, 2008 at 2:01 pm | Shortcut

[...] Matzek, at pick number 11. And signed him for only $3.9 million. He was supposedly demanding “Rick Porcello money” pre-draft. He not only got about $3.1 million less than that, he got a bonus rather than a [...]

Posted by Draft Signing Deadline Fallout – 1st Round | Capitol Avenue Club | August 18, 2009 at 12:28 pm | Shortcut