5:49pm: The exact bonus is $2.175MM, MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo tweets.
4:03pm: MLB.com’s Adam Berry reports that Newman’s bonus is less than $100K below slot value (Twitter link).
JUNE 15, 2:17pm: The Pirates have officially announced the signing of Newman.
JUNE 14: The Pirates have reached an agreement to sign first-round draft pick Kevin Newman, SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo reports (Twitter link), to a contract worth close to the $2.273MM slot value tied to the 19th overall pick (slot info courtesy of Baseball America). An official announcement from the team should come tomorrow, per Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (via Twitter), probably once Newman passes his physical.
Newman, 21, is a shortstop from the University of Arizona. ESPN’s Keith Law rated Newman as the second-best prospect in the draft on his board, describing him as “a surefire shortstop with tremendous feel to hit.” Other draft outlets weren’t quite as bullish, as Newman was ranked 20th on Fangraphs’ list and 29th by both MLB.com and Baseball America. While Newman’s contact-hitting approach at the plate is noted at all, his ability to generate much power is still a question mark. His long-term future at short is also up for debate; some observers (like Law) feel Newman can handle the position at the MLB level, while others have mixed feelings about his range and arm strength.
Next up Kramer. Larry David must be so proud.
As a Pirate fan I was not, an still am not, a fan of this pick. Should have taken Walker Buehler.
As a Pirate fan as well, not too upset. Let Cape Cod in hitting 2 years in a row. Only player to ever do so. Wooden bat league too. A SS who gets on base a lot and can knock in runs by getting hits is a good thing.
Man, an’t that a lot of Money to pay for the 20th pick ?
Slot for the pick per the article.
Testing new comments deal. Go Bucs.