Top Arizona draft pick withdraws from Florida State

Posted 6:22AM on Wednesday 1st September 2004 ( 20 years ago )

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA - Stephen Drew, Arizona's top draft pick, decided to withdraw from classes at Florida State on Tuesday and continue contract negotiations with the Diamondbacks. Drew, whose two brothers play for the Atlanta Braves, was selected with the 15th pick in June's amateur draft. He signed up for classes last week but wasn't scheduled to attend until Tuesday. ``It didn't happen, and I think that's a positive thing,'' Arizona general manager Joe Garagiola Jr. said Tuesday night. Garagiola said he spoke briefly to agent Scott Boras, who is serving as an adviser to Drew, earlier in the day. ``Momentum might be too strong a word to use, but I don't think this is something that you just drop and don't pick up for weeks at a time,'' Garagiola said. ``We'll keep working at it.'' The Diamondbacks would have lost their rights to Drew if he attended a class before agreeing to a contract. ``Stephen Drew and his family feel the two sides can agree on a deal that satisfies both parties,'' Florida State coach Mike Martin said. Drew was widely considered the top college position player when he entered the draft a year early after hitting .344 with 17 home runs and 56 RBIs for the Seminoles last season. However, signability was a factor because of Boras, and Drew slipped into the middle of the first round. Boras, known for being a hard-nosed negotiator, also represents Drew's brothers J.D. and Tim. J.D. Drew, now an outfielder for the Braves, was the No. 2 pick overall by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1997 but spurned the team's offer and re-entered the draft. He was picked and signed by the St. Louis Cardinals the following year. Tim Drew, a pitcher, was Cleveland's first-round pick and is now with Atlanta. The three brothers are the only trio of first-round siblings in draft history.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/9/153414