Here’s a look at the game’s latest noteworthy draft signings, with the newest moves at the top of the post. Click here for the full list of slot values and draft pool bonuses, and you can find prospect rankings and scouting reports from Baseball America’s Top 500, Fangraphs’ Top 200, MLB.com’s Top 200, and the Top 50 of ESPN.com’s Keith Law….
Latest Signings
- The Red Sox inked second-rounder Cameron Cannon, as per a team press release. MassLive.com’s Chris Cotillo first reported the Cannon signing earlier this week, and MLB.com’s Jim Callis tweets that Cannon will receive a $1.3MM bonus, which is lower than the $1,729,800 slot price attached to the 43rd overall pick. It should be noted that Cannon was Boston’s first pick of the 2019 draft, as their initial draft spot was dropped ten places as punishment for exceeding the luxury tax threshold by more than $40MM. Fangraphs had the highest projection on Cannon, ranking him 48th on their list of draft’s top prospects and describing the high schooler as an “infielder with approach and strong bat-to-ball skills,” with a potential for more power if he changes his swing.
- The Royals have a deal with second-round pick Brady McConnell, as per MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo (Twitter link). The 44th overall pick has a slot price of $1,689,500, though Kansas City went well over that figure in signing McConnell to a $2,222,450 bonus. Ranked as the 39th-best prospect in the draft by MLB.com, their scouting report on McConnell citing his speed, contact ability, and “the chance for future average power.” While McConnell was drafted as a shortstop, his future could be at second base or potentially even in center field.
- Two teams made significant signings beyond the 10th round that will have hefty impacts on their draft bonus pools, as every post-10th round draft pick who signs for more than $125K will have the extra money counted against the pool. The Braves signed 13th-round pick Tyler Owens to a $547.5K bonus, as per MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo, while MLB.com’s Jim Callis reports that the Cardinals have signed 14th-rounder Tyler Statler to a $300K bonus. Both Owens and Statler are right-handed pitchers out of high school, who had respectively committed to attend Florida and Southeast Missouri State.
Earlier Today
- Pirates supplemental first-round pick Sammy Siani has signed an above-slot deal worth $2.15MM, Jim Callis of MLB.com reports. The recommended slot value for Siani’s pick (No. 37) was $1.99MM. Siani’s a Pennsylvania-based high school outfielder who may have “a little Andrew Benintendi in him,” per Callis and MLB.com colleague Jonathan Mayo, who give rave reviews to his left-handed swing.
- Braves second-rounder Beau Philip (No. 60) has signed a below-slot deal for $700K, Mayo tweets. He’d have earned $1,157,400 at full value. Philip barely cracked MLB.com’s Top 200 entering the draft, coming in at No. 195. The Oregon State shortstop should be able to stay at the position, write Callis and Mayo, who laud his athleticism and bat speed.
- The Indians have signed second-round choice Yordys Valdes for $1MM, according to Callis. The slot value for his pick, No. 63, was $1,076,300. Valdes is a switch-hitting, contact-making high school shortstop from Florida. Third-rounder Joe Naranjo – the 101st pick – also signed, but he landed an above-slot deal worth $770K ($577K slot). The California-based high school first baseman boasts “one of the best prep bats” in his draft class, Callis relays.
- The Astros announced the signing of second-rounder Grae Kessinger, a shortstop from Ole Miss. The 68th overall pick, Kessinger received $750K – down from a $953K slot value. Kessinger may move into a second base/utility role in the pros, Callis and Mayo write. Houston also signed fourth-rounder Colin Barber to a deal worth well above slot, Callis relays. Barber, the 136th pick ($410K slot value), received $1MM. The California high schooler and former Oregon commit profiles as a hard-hitting right fielder, Callis writes.
- Rangers fourth-rounder Cody Freeman (No. 115) has signed for $900K – significantly more than his $502K slot value – Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. Freeman, yet another California high schooler, had committed to Baylor. Baseball America notes Freeman has “premium instincts” and offers a “well-rounded” package.
The 37th pick in a 30 team league should not be dubbed “a first rounder”. Why can’t they just be called comp picks?
Quinn Priester was a first rounder. Sammy Siani was a comp pick.
Maybe they can clarify it kind of like the singer that went by “the artist formerly known as Prince”, they could call them “draft picks taken after the 1st round but before the 2nd full round”
So Siani was selected in the unpronounceable symbol round?
This is a solution looking for a problem…..
he isn’t wrong though
He was picked before the 2nd round.
But, not in the 1st…lol
Purple rain.. purple rain
How does a team sign a kid :below slot” value? Seams like the draftee would hold out for at least that much.
For example, he’s supposed to go at pick X with a slot value of $1.2 but the team has a good rapport with him and know he will sign so they reach for him a few slots early and still pay him that same value. It’s a win-win, the kid can feel good getting picked where he was, he still gets the same money and they know they didn’t waste a pick on a kid with signability issues. They take that difference from what they were able to pay based on slot value and use it on another pick that needs that extra but to sign him to forgo college.
If that player is a college junior, then he will have less leverage the next year. He might be better off signing below slot this year than being drafted lower and/or signing below slot next year.
That’s the whole point of the draft. The kids rarely have much leverage, especially if they’re college draftees, because they can’t negotiate with anyone else. College seniors, especially, almost always sign for underslot, because ‘it’s take whatever they give you’ or don’t play affiliated ball.
I understand the money saving aspect of the braves draft. But we left a lot of “better” talent on the board for many of our high picks. The braves scouting department better be spot on with some of the picks… would hate another Hursh instead of Judge type situation to develop
I think the draft was more about restocking than it is about finding the gem. Let’s face it: it’s a crapshoot anyway and they need at least solid guys to staff the system when most if them are going to be $10,000 signees because they can’t get anyone better.
Perfect Game’s rankings should be linked if you are going to include paywall sites. perfectgame.org/Articles/View.aspx?article=16362
I’m glad Siani’s swing is getting rave reviews. I wouldn’t want Peter O’Brien to be the only one.
I thought it was Peter O’Brien’s defence that DIDNT get rave reviews
This is correct. He did not get rave reviews for his defense at catcher or in the outfield.
Your memory gets rave reviews
You’re right, I remembered it wrong.
I don’t understand the Beau Philip draft. It seems he was rated way below the second round. They could have waited until the third or fourth and still gotten him.
They picked him because they probably knew they could save money on his slot bonus, thus applying it to other picks. For instance, if he was expecting to go at pick 90 for average slot value of $657k, the Braves might have discussed an earlier pick with a money value of $700k instead of $1.157m.
The Braves then get a player they may have wanted more than his rankings would have suggested, and they know they can sign him. They also get to save $457k to us to further entice other picks .. such as the high school kid that had already signed with Florida. Meanwhile, Beau gets more money than he likely would have and possibly signed with a team he liked a bit more than some others.
It really can be a three way win. The Braves sign a guy they want, Beau gets a better bonus and/or a team he likes. For the third win, the Braves get more money to sign guys that likely would FELL down some slots due to signing worries, thus getting a better player or two at other rounds.
There’s no way he stays at that position with Swanson and Albies entrenched there. Farm depth, he’s lucky to have signed for that.
I mean, yeah, Philip is nowhere near as talented as their current MIF, but the ability to play SS makes for a more useful bench piece and they could always flip him if he performs in the minors. A lot can change by 2022
He’s probably 3-4 years away. We don’t know what will happen by then. Swanson or Albies could have a massive injury that ruins their career. More than likely though, he will be moved to another position.
Thanks all for the “slot” explanations. Makes sense now.
amazing how low these kids sign for vs other sports.. ashtray money
He has approach. And he has strong bat-to-ball skills. Thank goodness.
I was worried that he would have to change his swing.
And yet his swing is often found to be intersecting with the ball.
I guess his launch angle and exit velocity are not optimized.
Now I’m worried that he will have to change his swing.