[Quack Attack]

Oregon recruit Tyler Matzek signs late multi-million dollar deal with Rockies





Posted by Jeff Smith, The Oregonian August 17, 2009 20:57PM

Categories: Baseball




EUGENE - As expected, negotiations between prized Oregon baseball recruit Tyler Matzek and the Colorado Rockies went down to the wire Monday night. Unfortunately for the Ducks, Matzek won't be pitching at the completed PK Park next season.

The high school left-handed pitcher agreed to a signing bonus of $3.9 million in the minutes before the 9 p.m. signing deadline. That is a franchise record price for the Rockies, who drafted Matzek with the 11th pick of the first round in June's Major League Baseball first-year player draft.

Earlier Monday, Oregon also lost out on recruit Jake Marisnick. The high school outfielder agreed to a $1 million signing bonus from the Toronto Blue Jays, who drafted him in the third round. Both Matzek and Marisnick signed for over two times the amount of the average "slot price" for their positions in the draft.

The Ducks did receive some good news Monday night when junior pitcher Drew Gagnier elected not to sign with the Oakland Athletics, who drafted him in the 14th round. After earning saves in half of Oregon's 14 wins last season, Gagnier said he is excited about returning to Oregon and helping the Ducks achieve a winning record in the second season of their second era.

Here is the official press release from the Colorado Rockies regarding the Matzek signing:

Oregon recruit Tyler Matzek signs late multi-million dollar deal with Rockies - Behind The Ducks Beat