Whitson still in talks with Padres

CHIPLEY - Former Chipley High School standout Karsten Whitson remains in negotiations with the San Diego Padres. The No. 9 overall pick in June’s Major League Baseball has until midnight Tuesday to sign.

He has already signed a national letter of intent to attend and play baseball for the University of Florida. If the right-hander attends Florida he won’t be eligible to be drafted again until after his junior season.

MLB sets recommended signing bonuses for draft picks, but that doesn’t mean teams adhere to the guidelines. Whitson’s pick is slotted to receive between $1.9 and $2 million. The Nos. 8 and 10 picks recently signed for slightly more than the slotted amount, with a high of $2.15 million and a low of $2 million.