TWINS SIGN CRESPI'S PLOUFFE.

Byline: Heather Gripp Staff Writer

Four days after the Minnesota Twins made him a first-round draft pick, Crespi High of Encino graduate Trevor Plouffe became a member of the organization when he signed a deal Friday that included a $1.5 million signing bonus.

``We really wanted to get it done as soon as we could,'' Plouffe said.

``I wanted to start playing again as soon as possible. I didn't want to miss any games.''

For the 17-year-old shortstop, the past week has seemed like a dream.

Minnesota used its first of three first-round draft choices to make Plouffe the 20th pick overall, and negotiations went even better than expected.

``It's actually like a joke seeing the numbers they were throwing out,'' Plouffe said. ``It's hard to believe I could have that much money. I was laughing when I signed. It still seemed more like a joke than reality.''

Plouffe leaves Wednesday to begin training with the Twins' advanced rookie-level team in Elizabethton, Tenn., which opens its season June 21.

``We believe he's the full package, '' Twins scouting director Mike Radcliff said of the All-American who shattered school records as a pitcher and hot-hitting shortstop in four varsity seasons at Crespi. ``One of our primary goals in the early part of the draft was to select a shortstop with a high ceiling.''

Heather Gripp, [phone]

heather.gripp(at)dailynews.com

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