The Marlins have signed catcher Joe Mack for a $2.5MM bonus, MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis reports (via Twitter). It is a slight overslot deal for Mack, as the 31st pick in the draft — and the first pick of Competitive Balance Round A — has an assigned slot price of $2.312MM.
A product of Williamsville East High School in western New York state, Mack has a 60-grade throwing arm, and MLB Pipeline’s scouting report figures “he’ll be at least a solid average receiver” with a little more development behind the plate. Mack’s left-handed bat has a lot of power potential, though there is some debate on that topic amongst scouts. As Baseball America’s report puts it, “those highest on Mack see an advanced hitter with good bat speed and a chance to hit for plus power in his prime, though others see more of a hit-first offensive profile with average power.”
Miami went heavy on four-year college players in its draft class, as Mack as one of only three high schoolers selected within the Marlins’ first 11 picks. The tactic allowed the Marlins to save some money on those college signings, thus creating more pool space for overslot deals for Mack and third-rounder Jordan McCants. Miami’s first-round pick, Kahlil Watson, could possibly be looking for a bonus significantly above the $3,745,500 assigned to the 16th overall selection considering that Watson was seen as a top-five choice heading into draft night.
