Rasner receives $800,000 signing bonus

Carson High graduate Darrell Rasner has officially become a bonus baby.

Rasner made it official on Tuesday when he signed a contract with the Montreal Expos that included a signing bonus for $800,000. The Expos made Rasner the 46th overall pick in the second round of the Major League draft last month.

The right-handed pitcher will leave on Friday and report for the Expos lower Class A team in Vermont in the New York-Penn League. It's unknown when Rasner will make is professional debut.

"It's a big relief," Rasner said. "I'm just real excited. That childhood dream has finally come true.

"I still feel like there's something wrong to be paid to play baseball. It doesn't feel right. It's a real exciting time."

The signing bonus is important because the standard salary for a player at the class A level is only about $800 a month, which is what Rasner will receive. And a portion of that salary is deducted for room and board.

"It's not very much," said Rasner about his salary. "It's enough to get by."

Another important part of the deal is that the Expos have agreed to pay for four more semesters of schooling for Rasner, who just finished his junior year at the University of Nevada.

Rasner admitted most minor leagues are not has fortunate as him.

"It's hard to say in my situation," he said. "I would do anything. I'm just happy to play ball."

Rasner's contract was negotiated by his agent, Matt Sosnick of the Bay area. Sosnick also negotiated an $800,000 signing bonus for another one of his clients, catcher Adam Donachie, the 47th overall pick who signed with the Kansas City Royals.

"Matt did an awesome job," Rasner said. "I couldn't ask for anything more from the guy."

Rasner said without the coaching he received at Carson High and Nevada and the support he received from his family, he wouldn't be in the situation he is now.

"I'm very grateful for the chances I've had," he said. "I can't say that enough.

"They've all helped tremendously. I owe them a lot. I've put a lot of hard work into it. It's paying off right now."

At Nevada this past season, Rasner went 6-8 with a 3.70 earned run average with 109 strikeouts in 104.2 innings. Rasner holds school records in wins (28), strikouts (302) and innings pitched (341).