Braun to begin pro career in Helena

TORONTO -- Ryan Braun wanted to play ball, so he decided not to play hardball.

The Brewers announced Saturday that their first-round pick from the First-Year Player Draft had come to terms on a Minor League contract worth $2.45 million. The sides reached a deal just one week after Braun's University of Miami career ended in an NCAA Super Regional loss to the University of Nebraska.

Braun, 21, is scheduled to visit Miller Park on June 25. He will begin his professional career with the Brewers' Rookie League affiliate in Helena, Mont.

"He understands the value of joining the organization immediately," scouting director Jack Zduriencik said in a statement. "He's a good player and comes from a good family. We look forward to having him in the Brewers organization for a very long time."

By all accounts, the deal was a slam dunk. Braun was selected fifth overall, behind the Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman and in front of the Blue Jays' Ricky Romero. Zimmerman, a third baseman, signed the day he was drafted for $2.975 million, and Romero, a left-hander, signed Friday for $2.4 million.

"It was not really a difficult negotiation," Brewers assistant general manager Gord Ash said. "When the players above and below you sign, it becomes rather easy. He was ready to get started."

Braun, coming off his junior season at Miami, was named Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year at third base and led the Hurricanes with 18 home runs, 70 runs scored, 76 RBIs, a .727 slugging percentage and was second on the team with a .388 batting average and 16 doubles. He added 23 steals and 10 sacrifice flies in one of the best overall seasons in school history.

The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association named Ryan Braun second-team All-American, and he is one of five finalists for the Golden Spikes Award, widely considered as the Heisman Trophy of college baseball. Rickie Weeks, the Brewers' top draft pick in 2003, is a former Golden Spikes winner.

Last season, the Brewers drafted high school right-hander Mark Rogers with the No. 5 overall pick and signed him for $2.2 million.