The Braves have agreed to a a $2,197,500 bonus with first-round selection Jared Shuster, according to MLB.com’s Jim Callis (Twitter link). The Wake Forest southpaw was selected 25th overall, which came with a $2,740,300 pool allocation.
The Atlanta organization has also locked up its third-round choice, Jesse Franklin, Callis tweets. The Michigan outfielder also came in underslot, with a $497,500 bonus that’s six figures shy of the $599,100 price point.
These savings will likely be put to use on the Braves’ lone remaining unsigned draftee. Fifth-rounder Bryce Elder will presumably absorb most or all of the team’s available bonus resources.
Shuster was a rising prospect when the college season was suspended, with his velocity and command both trending in the right direction. He drew an array of ranking placements from draft pundits. Keith Law of The Athletic (subscription link) ultimately gave him the highest grade, putting him in the 26th spot on the board.
As for Franklin, he didn’t get a chance to put his best foot forward in 2020 owing to an injury. He had some ups and downs over his time in college. The Braves obviously believe in the toolset and will trust that Franklin can find his stride in the professional ranks.
Honestly should have signed him for less. Had a late 2nd most likely 3rd round grade at best and we took him so he’d cut a deal. But considering he should have easily sign for “only” 6 figures, I think he should have taken at least a million off that slot value, at worse sub 2 mil. Strictly my opinion obviously
And not a smart opinion at that. Dude was ranked as high as 26, and you expect that kind of discount?
Yeah, he was said be one of the highest movers on the board, gaining momentum from a small sample size reinforced by a robust Cape Cod showing.
Do you take someone with an injury history that falls to you (i.e. Cade Cavalli) or a lower-ranked person that is quickly ascending based on an uptick in recent showings combined with scouting reports?
i prefer the guy who falls before the draft, a la Singer
As long as you’re comfortable with the medicals, I’d rather have the faller than the riser. A lot of guys that rapidly climb up draft boards come off as kneejerk reactions to me, and I’d rather go with the guy I have more extensive reports on. (Obviously things can change and cause guys to climb, but I’d rather trust the work I’ve done.)
Also, a lot of guys that fall are probably because teams are being too cautious or overreacting about injuries, but if you don’t see a big issue, it’s worth it. Giolito was in the running to be the top pick before he fell to the Nationals, for instance, and as an Indians fan it’s worth mentioning that Ethan Hankins went from a potential top five pick to their supplemental first rounder a year or two ago and he already looks like the real deal.
ATL has done most, but a lot more “falls” due to injury, usually with Kolby Allard being a recent example. Fried is another, though by SD.
I’m going out on a limb and guessing the Braves tried to negotiate for less. But they clearly viewed him as better than a third round pick. You sure your view of his talent is better than theirs?
Have to make sure you get all 5 players into the organization in this weird draft. High school players have all the leverage because they can just take a scholarship. College juniors can also elect to go back to school. Signability is the second most important factor to talent in a draft like this. If all 5 players get signed, and slot into the organization’s top 50 prospects, the front office did a good job.
4 for ATL, they lost one (2nd Rd) for signing Will Smith.
Braves are cheap.
So iS YuR mOm!!!
When the Braves signed Will Smith I cursed a little but I understood the move. The bullpen needed to be locked down. Despite all the Foltynevich hate, the bullpen was the culprit, blowing the save twice.
But for a Braves team that is still in the middle of international sanctions, the farm system’s fall from grace has already been predicted by Baseball America.
So do I love Shuster? I knew he would be controversial when I read a little about him. He altered his delivery by adding greater hip rotation, increasing his velocity which also played up his change up. But do I LOVE the pic? No. I would have prefer Cade, as it seems most Braves fans on this article. But, I see why they went with Shuster and maybe they are right. Braves fans are simply going to have to trust the scouting team.
Well said. I was surprised when the braves went with Shuster but I can kinda see the reasoning I guess. the more I read the more I can see why they went with him. I still wish they would have went with someone else but I am not an expert on the matter or a scout so I am not gonna pretend like I know everything.
We do have a lot of that don’t we? After you read fan comments you get the idea they think they can operate a scouting team and then successfully perform in a draft.
Let’s ask the not so pretty girl to prom because her odds of saying no are so much lower, ugh.