The Giants have agreed to a $3.8MM bonus with first-round selection Patrick Bailey, according to MLB.com’s Jim Callis (via Twitter). He was selected 13th overall, a position that came with a $4,197,300 slot allocation.
This represents the first big draft strike for the San Francisco organization, which has quite a bit of signing left to do. The savings on this selection will presumably be rolled over to later-drafted players.
Bailey, a backstop out of N.C. State, will slot in behind recent top selection Joey Bart in the long-term catching pipeline. If and when the club ends up with some tough decisions to make involving those two players and long-time star receiver Buster Posey, it’d surely consider it a good problem to have.
Entering the draft, all major pundits graded Bailey as one of the twenty best players available. ESPN.com and Fangraphs each rated him within the top dozen. The switch-hitter isn’t exactly hyped for his endless ceiling, but prospect watchers seem to agree he has solid all-around skills and real potential to become a regular backstop at the game’s highest level.
Didn’t they sign Harrison as well?
Pretty sure, the left handed pitcher from high school in like Lodi, I think he got overslot payment.
De La Salle in Concord.
Finally
At least they prioritized lock up the HS before the college players specifically their #1 am sure the rest will be signed rather quickly now.
Thank goodness, I was starting to worry. I’m hoping this means we’ll see more signings in the next few days.
I agree. It’s been too long and the way it was going I didn’t really think they were going to sign him. Big signing though
Best player available is the way to go but this is going to be a very awkward situation with Bart, whether or not the Giants want to admit it.
I don’t think so. This is for the future. When both Bailey and Bart are ready then you probably have 1B C and DH as options. If both guys can play then there is a spot for them. Also, never forget about trade chips.
DH in the NL is not guaranteed past 2020. Bailey is too good at C to move to 1B. Bart may not be good enough of a hitter to get value from him at 1B, and theres no way he wants to quit being a catcher. Sure trade chip is a fair point.
I think there was also some talk of trying bailey or bart or both in the outfield too, just for some added flexibility.
Having a DH in the NL beyond 2020 may not be a guarantee, but you can bet it will come up in the next CBA negotiations and there’s a good chance it will happen.
They don’t have to worry about anything right now, though. Bart is a couple of years ahead. Plenty of time to assess and think about what they want to do.
Agree. I think the future for catchers is 3 days for joey bart and 2 days in the squat for the 5 man rotation. Imagine how much longer these guys can last with a load like that. Then as you said they can DH or play 1st the other days.
I’ve heard they’re considering trying out Bart at 3B.
that’s what I heard too – bart @ 3rd does make some sense
Panda came up as a catcher.
Very excited about him and Harrison. Only pick I wasn’t very enthusiastic about from this draft was Glowenke, but what do I know.
Baseball 1600, the only one I’m excited about is Harrison, I’m actually more excited about a couple if the NDFAs they signed then the rest of their top draft picks.
Agree. I think the future for catchers is 3 days for joey bart and 2 days in the squat for Bailey during the 5 man rotation. Imagine how much longer these guys can last with a load like that. Then as you said they can DH or play 1st the other days.
Dodgers two top prospects are both catchers. Can never hurt to have a solid pipeline.