LSU football and baseball lost Zach Lee to the Dodgers...$5.25 million
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McKinney's Zach Lee signs last-minute deal with Los Angeles Dodgers, foregoes college career at LSU
Posted at 10:56 PM on Mon., Aug. 16, 2010
Kyle Whitfield / HS GameTime Editor
Former McKinney pitcher and LSU signee Zach Lee, the No. 28 overall pick in this year's MLB First-Year Player Draft, has inked a contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, LSU's athletic department announced Monday night.
"This was a very personal decision for Zach and his family," LSU coach Les Miles said in a news release. "This opportunity was just too difficult to pass up. We wish Zach and his family the very best. He's an outstanding young man and we hope he develops into a great Major League pitcher."
LSU announced Lee's decision about five minutes before the 11 p.m. CT MLB deadline for draft picks to sign contracts with their respective teams. The Los Angeles Times reports Lee will receive a $5.25-million signing bonus spread over five years. That amount is more than double the largest bonus the Dodgers gave Highland Park's Clayton Kershaw in 2006.
The late announcement that Lee signed with the Dodgers is a bit of a surprise. Lee enrolled in summer school at LSU one day after the draft. Lee attended summer classes in Baton Rouge, La., and participated in the football team's summer conditioning.
"[Lee] wants to come to LSU, get a degree and play football and baseball for the Tigers," Miles said June 8. "I met with Zach and his parents today and I think that they are looking at LSU as a great opportunity both academically and athletically. Zach is an outstanding student and he's excited about the college experience."
A dual athlete at McKinney, Lee had 11 victories, a 2.15 ERA and 90 strikeouts this baseball season. As a senior on the football field, Lee passed for 2,565 yards and 31 touchdowns. He also added nine rushing touchdowns in 2009.