Schebler appears to have in deal in place with Dodgers

When Des Moines Area Community College freshman outfielder Scott Schebler was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 26th round of June's MLB First-Year Player Draft, he told a reporter he was quite certain he would not turn professional and would head to Wichita State University for three years of college baseball instead.

Apparently that has changed.

"I just did some thinking," Schebler said Saturday night. "They came up money wise. That was the main reason. I just think this is a great opportunity for me."

An outfielder and former Cedar Rapids Prairie prep, Schebler has until midnight Monday night to finalize a deal he now seems certain will get done. That's the deadline for all 2010 picks to be signed or else their draft selection turns out to be essentially meaningless.

Another local guy who is heading to the final guy in the negotiating process is Cedar Rapids Xavier pitcher Jon Keller. The 11th-round pick of the Seattle Mariners, he and his family have turned down three offers from Seattle.

It's unknown if he'll be getting a fourth. If not, he is scheduled to head to the University of Nebraska.