The Oakland A’s announced Monday that they had agreed to terms with two more players from the 2008 First-Year Player Draft that was held on June 5 and 6.
Rashun Dixon, a catcher and the 2008 top high school baseball player in the State, and Pete Paramore, a catcher out of Arizona State, signed contracts to play in the Major League this week.
Dixon, who played football and baseball at Terry (Miss.) High School had signed earlier in the year to play football at Mississippi State where his big brother Anthony Dixon, a 240 junior is the starting running back for the Bulldogs.
Dixon was the 10th round selection and Paramore was their third round pick. Dixon reportedly was asking in the neighborhood of $600,000 or $700,000 in bonus money. No figure was released by the A’s, but according to a close family member, Dixon got “pretty much” what he wanted and more.
Dixon batted .511 (46 for 90) with 15 home runs, 59 RBI’s and 56 runs scored in 33 games as a senior this past season. He is listed as an outfielder on the team’s roster.
The A’s have now signed or agreed to terms with 18 of their 40-plus draft picks, including six of their top 10.
“I’m ready to play baseball in the big league. It’s a dream come true for me and my family, and I thank God for the chance,” Dixon said Tuesday. He didn’t mention the Mississippi State Bulldogs, where there was great expectation in utilizing his outstanding football skills this fall. As a wide receiver in high school he scored 30 touchdowns in his three years as a starter.
Coach Slyvester Croom said in The Clarion Ledger this week that he was happy for Dixon and he understood the money factor that figured into the equation. “I wish him nothing but the best in his pursue of professional baseball.”
Dixon will report to Phoenix, Arizona later this week to play in the ten (10) team Arizona Rookie League that opens June 22 and ends on August 30.
According to the AZL Athletics pre-season roster, there are only four other outfielders on the team so far and that means Dixon should get plenty playing time over the next 10 weeks, the length of the summer season, and should subsequently move up the ladder to another level.
And, you can bet we’ll be seeing this outstanding young ball player in the Majors very soon…and you can bank on that.
I saw him compete in both football and baseball, and he has more pure natural athletic talent than any high school player I’ve seen in a long time…in any sport!
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