Sparky's Notes, July 11: Jason Kipnis Signs With The Cleveland Indians

In a recently developing story, Jason Kipnis has signed up with the Cleveland Indians, who picked him in the second round of the 2009 MLB Draft.

As per the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

Kipnis received an estimated $575,000 signing bonus and will report to Class A Mahoning Valley on Monday. Kipnis was the 63rd player taken in the June draft. Last year high school outfielder Kenny Wilson, drafted by Toronto, received a $644,000 signing bonus.

"There's been a rollback in the bonuses this year," said Grant.

The Tribe has signed 19 of its first 20 picks.

"We're going to start Jason in center field," said Brad Grant, Indians director of amateur scouting. "He'll play some left and right field, but center field will be his primary position."

Kipnis hit .384 (91-for-237) with 76 runs, 21 doubles, four triples, 16 homers and 71 RBI in 63 games (62 starts) this season for the Sun Devils. He also had a .497 on-base percentage, a .709 slugging percentage and a 1.206 OPS.

How unfortunate for Kipnis that his signing bonus has been diminished by the recession, but I imagine he is livin' la vida loca with all that cash up front regardless.

Mike Leake and Josh Spence are still unsigned.

In terms of Jeff Pendergraph and James Harden, they are alreading going to work. Pendergraph reports to the Las Vegas summer league on the 13th, playing alongside former rival Jerryd Bayless.

Harden is getting some burn at PG in Florida for the Thunder, and he earned 1st Team honors in the Orlando Pro All-Summer League.