First pick signs

The Angels agreed to terms Friday with top draft pick Jon Bachanov, a high school pitcher who received a $550,000 bonus and will report to the organization's rookie league affiliate in Tempe, Arizona, today.

The Angels forfeited their top two drafts picks for signing free agents Gary Matthews Jr. and Justin Speier last winter, but Angels scouting Director Bane said he got his usual rush of adrenaline when one name remained on his board at No. 58.

A 6-foot-5, 215-pound right-hander, Bachanov was 9-2 with an 0.37 earned-run average in 11 games, striking out 103 and walking 19 in 65 innings, for University High in Orlando, Fla., this season. The Angels had seen him throw in a couple of all-star games and think if everything goes perfectly, Bachanov has the potential to be the kind of pitcher John Lackey has become.

Bachanov is a tall (6-foot-4) right-hander with good velocity and late movement. The LA Times quotes him as saying, "I talked to the scouting director, and I feel like they're going to take care of me," said Bachanov, who attended Friday night's game with several family members.

"Some teams buy players; these guys develop pitchers, and they know how to win around here. It's great."Bachanov, who didn't emerge as a top prospect until this season, combines a lively 92-93-mph fastball with a power slider and changeup, and he could get bigger and stronger. His two older brothers are a staggering 6-9 and 6-7.