July 19 -- SAVERY SIGNS

Two weeks ago in Houston, Joe Savery guaranteed he'd be pitching in the Phillies' farm system before July ended.

He was right.

Savery, a left-handed pitcher and the Phillies' first-round pick in the June draft, has signed a contract that includes a $1.3725 million signing bonus and a scholarship to finish college. He's expected to join Class A Williamsport for a game Friday night in Lowell, Mass.

Two weeks ago, Savery also said he'd be pitching for the Phillies by the end of next season. Ambitious or accurate?

Time will tell.

Savery, 21, was the 19th overall selection in the first round from Rice University, the third-ranked team in the nation. He went 11-1 with a 2.99 ERA in 18 starts this season as a junior, allowing 82 hits and 41 walks and striking out 61 in 93-1/3 innings.