http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=772053 Lawrie on hold: For the first time in Jack Zduriencik's nine years as scouting director, the Brewers' first-round pick won't sign in time to play pro ball this summer. Brett Lawrie, a prep catcher from British Columbia, joined the Canadian Junior National team on Sunday to begin preparing for the world tournament later in the month in Edmonton, Alberta. Lawrie, 18, also has been selected to play for the Canadian Olympic team that will compete in August in Beijing. That would preclude Lawrie from playing pro ball this year. "We'd like to have him but we knew this was going to happen," said Zduriencik, who attended the Futures Game. "But he's playing and playing at a high level. It's a big event for him and a wonderful thing to participate in. "His agent is very positive about him wanting to be a Brewer. We're going to be supportive and watch him play. We'll have somebody there for all of his games." The deadline for signing 2008 draft picks is Aug. 15. Because of Lawrie's national commitments, negotiations probably will not be concluded until that day or just before. "Talks have been positive and cordial," Zduriencik said. "The sooner we get him signed, the better for us. I think we're going to be fine. He wants to be a Brewer." Based on the signings of draft picks above and below the 16th spot in which Lawrie was selected, he figures to get a signing bonus of about $1.6 million or $1.7 million. The Brewers already have paid $4,360,000 to the other five picks they had through the second round: supplemental first-rounders Jake Odorizzi ($1.06 million) and Evan Frederickson ($1.01 million), and second-rounders Seth Lintz ($900,000), Cutter Dykstra ($737,000) and Cody Adams ($653,000). Toss in the cost of signing Lawrie and the price tag comes to about $6 million to ink those six early selections.