Is payday looming for Packer?

As a little league star, Matt Packer played for fun.
In high school, the lefty pitched for a college scholarship.
For the next month, Packer is pitching for a signing bonus.
Selected in the 32nd round in the MLB Draft by the Cleveland Indians, Packer has until Aug. 17 to come to an agreement with the
organization or he will return to the University of Virginia for his senior season.
For now, Packer has leverage as a third-year college player, something he will not have after his senior season. He has seen that painful process play out firsthand as former teammates Andrew Carraway, Pat McAnaney and Michael Schwimer were given signing bonuses that would barely cover rent for the summer.
Despite the pressure that could mount with the upcoming month serving as a true audition in front of scouts from the Indians, Packer said he remains loose in his first season in the prestigious Cape Cod League.
“It is not really a big deal. I think there’s maybe two other guys on my team that are in a similar situation to what I am,” Packer said. “I don’t really see it as much different. Everybody is just really just trying to play well for everyone that is watching.
“I am just trying to play the way that I can.”
If Packer is leaning towards signing with the Indians once a suitable offer emerges, he has not tipped his hand. And the Indians have not opened negotiations thus far, but a high-ranking executive is slated to watch Packer pitch in the upcoming days.
“If they give me what I want, great. If I end up signing with them that will be great,” Packer said. “If I don’t, that will be great too, because I have a chance to come back and have another great college season.”
Returning to the Cavaliers would give Virginia one of the nation’s deepest pitching staffs and allow Packer to get his degree. The latter is not a major factor, he pointed out, as he will complete the two remaining semesters regardless.
“It probably is pretty hard to come back and finish it,” he said, “but it is something that I want to do.”
Packer said competing in the Cape Cod League has been yet another dream that has been realized, especially coming on the heels of a trip to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb.
Making it to the College World Series did have a minor drawback as Packer joined the team after the season had started and the rotation was solidified. He was slotted into a role in the bullpen.
“I kind of assumed it would start out like that,” he said. “I haven’t really talked to them too much about how they will use me in the future. I assumed coming in late that they already had their rotation set.
“I didn’t want to come in and kick somebody out of their rotation spot. I enjoy coming out of the pen so I don’t really have a problem with scouts seeing me come out of the bullpen.”
Packer, who led the nation in ERA at UVa in 2008, has been near perfect for Orleans to date, working six scoreless innings of relief. With a 1-0 record, he has struck out 17 batters and allowed five hits and three walks.
One of those walks, however, was quite painful.
“I couldn’t get [Virginia outfielder] Jarrett Parker out the other night,” Packer joked. “I walked Parker when I faced him. I was pretty upset about that.”