Angels agree to terms with four of top five draft picks

The Angels agreed to terms Monday with 11 players from last week’s draft, including four of their first five picks, a group headed by Florida Atlantic University closer R.J. Alvarez, who was selected in the third round.

Also agreeing to terms were fifth-round pick Mark Sappington, a right-handed pitcher from Rockhurst (Mo.) University, sixth-round pick Eric Stamets, a shortstop from the University of Evansville, and seventh-round pick Andrew Patterson, a catcher from Montgomery High School in Semmes, Ala.

All four of the players received signing bonuses that were “at or very close to” the slot amounts recommended under Major League Baseball’s new draft rules, according to a person familiar with negotiations but not authorized to speak publicly about them.

Alvarez, who went 5-0 with an 0.72 earned-run average and eight saves, striking out 47 and walking 10 in 37 2/3 innings, was slotted to receive $416,300. Scouting director Ric Wilson said Alvarez, whose fastball has touched 97 mph, could be a “quick mover” through the farm system.

Sappington was slotted at $226,700, Stamets was slotted at $169,900 and Patterson was slotted at $144,300.

Also agreeing to terms: Zachary Wright, C, East Carolina, 12^th round; Quintin David, OF, McClennan (Texas) College, 20^th;, Pat Lowery, RHP, Columbia, 21^st; Joel Capote, OF, St. Thomas (Fla.) University, 28^th; Zachary Livingtson, C, Arizona Christian University, 34^th; Pedro Pizarro, C, C.E. Byrd (La.) High School, 35^th; Kenny Hatcher, RHP, Dallas Baptist University, 36th.

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