The Rays have signed supplementary first round selection Jeff Ames for $650K, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America. MLB recommended a bonus of $803K for the 42nd overall selection, but Ames was not expected to go as early in the draft as he did.
The right-hander hit 98 mph consistently this season, according to Conor Glassey of Baseball America. Ames, who stands 6'4", placed 119th on BA's list of top draft eligible players before the Rays selected him. The Rays obtained the 42nd overall selection as compensation for losing Type A free agent Rafael Soriano to the Yankees after the 2010 season.
