SAN DIEGO – Lastings Milledge’s long summer ordeal is finally over. The Mets announced the signing of their first-round pick last night, ending weeks of speculation and controversy about the Florida high school outfielder’s past.
The Mets agreed to a signing bonus of $2.075 million, which will be paid out to Milledge over the next five years. Milledge, the 12th overall pick, will report to Class-A Kingsport. He was one of the final holdouts of the June draft, but it wasn’t by his choice.
“It’s the best time of my life,” Milledge said in a conference call. “It’s my dream, and there’s no better feeling in the world.”
A few weeks ago, two newspaper reports recycled rumors involving Milledge’s alleged improper sexual conduct with female minors as young as 12 or 13. The Mets publicly stated that they had no idea about these allegations, which first surfaced in the fall of 2001. Milledge was never arrested nor taken into custody, and he steadfastly denied his involvement.
“We recently concluded an extensive investigation of Lastings’ background following recently published reports of nearly two-year old allegations,” interim general manager Jim Duquette said in a press release. “We were satisfied with the results of our investigation and proceeded to complete the negotiations on the contract.”
Asked about the subject during the conference call, Duquette said the Mets determined the reality was far different than the allegations. Milledge chose not to elaborate when asked about the whole ordeal.
“All that stuff is in the past,” Milledge said. “I just want to move on from that.”
Milledge had completed his physical last week in New York, but it was an ordeal of a different sort. He was in town for the blackout, but he said he slept in his hotel room at the Millennium Hotel because the backup generator worked.
“It was quite an experience,” he said. “We were able to tough it out.”
Duquette and COO Jeff Wilpon flew to Florida yesterday morning to sign the papers. The Mets officials then shuttled Milledge to Kingsport, Tenn., where he could make his debut tonight.
“It was a wonderful show of class on the part of Jeff and Jim,” said Jeff Kahn, Milledge’s agent. “Both sides cooperated, both sides are happy. Lastings is back in the pond where he belongs, back on the baseball field.”
Milledge was arguably the best five-tool player in the draft, and he would bolster an area that is weak in the Mets’ farm system. Still, he may be four years away from the majors.
Baseball America rated the 5-11, 185-pounder as the seventh-best draft prospect in the country. Milledge also was ranked the best five-tool high school talent, the second-best high school athlete and the second-best high school defensive player with the second-best arm. The publication also ranked Milledge the fourth fastest high school baserunner and the fifth best power hitter.
Said Kahn: “The Mets got themselves a great player. He’s going to go [through the minor leagues] quick. [Jose] Reyes got there this year. Lastings could follow his path.”
Milledge played for Team USA in the 2002 International Baseball Federation’s World Junior Championship in Sherbrooke, Canada. He batted .419 (13-for-31) with three doubles, five home runs and 15 RBIs with six walks and three strikeouts in eight games. He was named to the all-tournament team as Team USA captured the bronze medal.
When he was 15, Milledge played for USA Baseball’s 2000 Youth National Team. In 2001, Baseball America named him the best 16-year-old in the country.
Lastings Milledge File
Mets first-round pick (12th overall)
Age: 18
Height, Weight: 5-11, 185
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Lives: Palmetto, Fla.
Compared to: Andruw Jones, Willie Mays.
Allegations: Accused of inappropriate behavior with minor girl. No charges filed.
High School: Ranked as top junior player and likely No. 1 pick in draft before allegations surfaced.
Left Northside Christian, played for Lakewood Ranch as senior.
Hit .571 with Florida state-record 77 RBIs as junior.
Two-time Baseball America first-team All-American.
Senior Year Stats
AVG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB
.414 99 41 41 4 3 10 35 43
Other: Played in 1997 Little League World Series with Manatee (Fla.) East.