The Angels have just four more days to sign first-round pick Kaleb Cowart, a prep standout from Georgia, but scouting director Eddie Bane likes his chances.
"I believe we will, but I've been saying that since June 7," Bane said.
The Angels under Bane and owner Arte Moreno have a good track record of getting deals done with high-profile draft picks. The most contentious were the Jered Weaver talks in 2005 after a nearly one-year holdout. That contract wasn't finalized until the final minutes before the deadline.
Cowart let it be known before the draft he was seeking more than $2 million. The slot figure recommended by Major League Baseball for Cowart's draft position _ the No. 18 overall pick _ is $1.45 million. Cowart, from Valdosta, Ga., has a scholarship offer from Florida State, so the Angels are aware they will have to pay him more than his slot figure.
Cowart, who was clocked throwing 97 mph, fell to the Angels in part because they wanted him as a third baseman. Several teams were interested in drafting Cowart as a right-handed pitcher.
The Angels have signed their next nine picks after Cowart, a 6-foot-3, 210-pounder who batted .654 with 11 home runs for Cook County High.