"With the deadline to sign draft picks three weeks from today, the early draft market showed its first signs of getting out of its slumber.

But although Trevor Bauer of the Diamondbacks (No. 3 overall) and Sonny Gray of the Athletics (No. 18) signed to bring the first-round count to nine of 33, there has been little action in Houston. Most deals get done in the final days before the 11 p.m. deadline on Aug. 15.

The Astros' wait to sign two of their top three picks continues, with first-round pick George Springer still out there and third-rounder Jack Armstrong nearing the end of his stay in the Cape Cod League.

Assistant general manager of scouting Bobby Heck said talks with Springer have quieted since the sides exchanged figures earlier this month.

"My sense is that they're playing this until the end," Heck said.

A call to Springer's adviser went unreturned.

Heck is currently in Cape Cod in part to watch Armstrong, who will make his fourth start in the league today. Heck said Armstrong intends to finish the Cape League season, making one or two more starts after today, which gives the Astros a limited negotiating window."