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Rays Fifth-Round Pick, First Baseman Jeff Malm, Agrees to Deal; Awaits MLB Approval

H/T Gengler

Local paper with the news:

Former Bishop Gorman High School first baseman/pitcher Jeff Malm said Thursday he has agreed in principle on a contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, who selected him in the fifth round of June’s draft.

Malm said in a text message the Rays have reported the deal to the commissioner’s office and are waiting for approval before he can officially sign it, which "should happen within the next couple days."

Here's what BA said about the lefty:

The first thing out of everyone’s mouth when talking about Malm is some variation of: "That guy can hit." Few high school players in the draft have a better track record of performance than Malm, who does it from the left side. Everywhere he goes, he hits, whether it’s as the youngest player on the USA Baseball junior national team—where he saw more time at first base than Eric Hosmer—or as the only underclassman at the 2007 Cape Cod High School Classic. Playing for one of the nation’s top high school teams, Malm was leading the state of Nevada with 15 home runs heading into the playoffs. The question is whether he will be able to hit for the same power with a wood bat. At a soft-bodied 6-foot-3 and 225 pounds, he’s limited to first base and will need to produce power. He has a good arm—sitting at 87-89 mph as a pitcher—but can’t play the outfield. As a lifelong Southern California fan with a long personal relationship with head coach Chad Kreuter, Malm’s commitment to the Trojans is strong.

The Rays have their first four picks remaining unsigned, the deadline is Monday at midnight.