Rangers sign supplemental first-round pick Scheppers

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ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Right-hander Tanner Scheppers, the Texas Rangers' supplemental first-round pick in the amateur draft, agreed Thursday to a minor league contract with a $1.25 million signing bonus.

Their No. 1 choice was left-hander Matt Purke from Klein High School in the Houston area. Purke was taken 14th by the Rangers but spurned their offer and now attends TCU.

Scheppers was the 44th pick in the June draft after making four starts this year for the independent St. Paul Saints. The Pittsburgh Pirates took him with the 48th pick last year, but he didn't sign.

This year was the third time Scheppers has been drafted. Baltimore took him out of high school, but he chose to go to Fresno State for three years.

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