The Mariners have signed their first-rounder, Stetson right-hander Logan Gilbert, for $3,883,800, which comes in at the exact slot value for the number 14 overall pick. The news comes courtesy of MLB.com’s Jim Callis.
Gilbert was ranked as the 16th-best draft prospect by MLB.com and 19th by Baseball America. Though he reportedly touched 97 MPH with his fastball last summer, he sat closer to the 91-93 MPH range this past spring. Scouts have raved about his change-up as well, and many allegedly wish he would throw it more often. He leads the NCAA’s Division I with 163 strikeouts, as Callis notes.
The 21-year-old Gilbert’s 6’5″, 195-pound frame gives him great projectability, along with elite extension. Baseball America also notes that, “He’s shown flashes of above-average breaking balls in the past, but a 60-grade fastball that could be a plus-plus offering with returned velocity is the main selling point for the big righthander.” Gilbert’s alma mater, Stetson University, has produced two of the top starters in today’s game: two-time Cy Young winner Corey Kluber and former NL Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom.
Wow!! He even got drafted higher than deGrom and Kluber. He must be a future hall of famer!!!
He has been put in the hall of fame and Seattle’s ring of honor already. Now he just has to go out and show he was worth it to all the fans.