Major League Baseball

Phillies agree to terms with Biddle

Published Jun. 11, 2010 12:09 a.m. ET

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Jesse Biddle has a good idea of when he might reach the big leagues.

``I'm getting the start tonight,'' Biddle said with a laugh. ``Roy Halladay is now the number two.''

The 18-year-old Biddle was kidding, of course, but was full of one-liners Thursday afternoon, when the Philadelphia Phillies introduced their first-round draft pick.

The graduate of Germantown Friends, an area school, agreed to terms quickly after being selected 27th overall in Monday's draft.

Terms weren't disclosed, though scouting director Marti Wolever said the Phillies stayed within the slotting system which typically determines what players are paid.

Seattle paid high school shortstop Nicholas Franklin, last year's No. 27 overall pick, $1.28 million, and it is believed that Biddle will receive an amount just north of $1.1 million.

``It was really easy,'' Biddle said of the negotiations. ``When the Phillies took me in the first round, it was a no-brainer. I'm a baseball player, so that's what I want to do. This organization is one I trust. The signing bonus money is helpful, but that only means so much. The real indication of how much a team cares about you is where they take you, and they took me in the first round. I'm excited about going out and doing my thing for them.''

Wolever also said the team agreed with second-round pick Percy Garner, a right-handed pitcher from Ball State.

Biddle grew up a Phillies fan and attended Game 5 of the 2008 World Series - both parts - marveling in the performance of Cole Hamels, one of his idols growing up.

He will strive to one day be in the same position. The lefty is scheduled to begin playing next week, when he arrives at extended spring training in Clearwater, Fla.

``He has some things to work on, but he sold us when he threw (for the team) the weekend before the draft,'' Wolever said. ``He threw so easy and so well. You could tell by his makeup. He handles himself well, like a college kid. We're looking forward to seeing him develop.''

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