WASHINGTON — When the Rockies selected prep phenom Tyler Matzek with the 11th pick in the first round, it ranked as one of the draft’s biggest shocks.
The team pulled off another surprise Monday signing the California left-hander prior to the 10 p.m. deadline.
It is believed that Matzek agreed to a bonus of approximately $3.9 million, well above the commissioner’s recommended slot of $1.8 million. The highest bonus the Rockies had previously paid was $3.25 million to Stanfor’d Greg Reynolds as the second pick of the 2006 draft.
Matzek went 13-1 as a senior for Capistrano Valley (Calif.) high school, and was prepared to go to the University of Oregon. At 6-foot-3, 210 pounds, he is considered to be among the top high school pitchers in the nation. Opponents hit just .144 against him in 277 at-bats.
This marks a significant shift in the Rockies’ draft philosophy. They have been known to take risks in later rounds, but have typically followed slot salaries with their top picks.
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
