The Braves have reached agreement with first-round choice Mike Soroka, according to Jim Callis of MLB.com (on Twitter). Soroka will receive about $1.97MM, the full value of his slot.
Atlanta selected the Canadian right-hander with the No. 28 overall pick in the draft. Callis describes Soroka as having solid athleticism with the potential to develop three solid pitches. The high schooler already boasts a 94 mph fastball, though Baseball America lists his above-average curveball as his best pitch as this time. BA noted that there is some concern about his across-body finish to his arm action, but he has no history of arm problems.
Soroka was committed to play for Cal, but the lure of the major leagues ultimately won out. The 6’5″ hurler was rated No. 90 in his class by BA, 67th by Kiley McDaniel of Fangraphs, 60th by MLB.com (Jonathan Mayo and Jim Callis), and 61st by Keith Law of ESPN.com. Soroka, who turns 18 in August, was one of the youngest players in this year’s class, as Teddy Cahill of BA recently wrote.
