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D-backs agree to terms with Pollock

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By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com

06/22/09 5:52 PM ET

PHOENIX -- The D-backs have agreed to terms with first-round pick A.J. Pollock. The deal will not become official and the club will not make an announcement until Pollock passes a physical and signs the contract.

It is expected that Pollock will take his physical Tuesday and the signing could be announced that afternoon. Pollock is expected to begin his pro career this week at Class A South Bend of the Midwest League.

South Bend is familiar territory for Pollock, who played center field for Notre Dame. As a junior last year, he hit .365 with a .443 on-base percentage and slugged .610. He is a polished player who caught D-backs scouting director Tom Allison's eye last year when he went to look at another Notre Dame player.

The D-backs selected Pollock with the 17th overall pick in last month's First-Year Player Draft, a pick they got from the Dodgers as compensation for Los Angeles signing free-agent second baseman Orlando Hudson.

The 21-year-old has a good approach at the plate and does not chase pitches out of the strike zone. Pollock is a gap hitter and an above-average runner who has good instincts and can steal a base. Once a shortstop, Pollock can also play second base, but Allison said the club planned to play him in center.

The Arizona Republic reported the deal included a $1.4 million signing bonus.

Steve Gilbert is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.