A few notable draft signings for Day Two selections:
- The Braves signed right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach to a $1MM bonus, reports Jim Callis of MLB.com (Twitter link). That checks in a bit below the $1.1855MM slot value associated with the 59th overall pick. A two-way star at the University of Nebraska, Schwellenbach was announced as a pitcher on draft day. He pitched exclusively in relief for the Cornhuskers this season because he was the team’s everyday shortstop, but it’s possible the Braves stretch him out as a starting pitcher in pro ball. Keith Law of the Athletic is particularly bullish on Schwellenbach, ranking him the class’ #29 prospect pre-draft and praising his delivery, mid-90s fastball, and promising secondary pitches.
- The Cardinals have signed second-rounder Joshua Baez to a $2.25MM bonus, Callis reports. That’s well above the $1.3385MM slot value that accompanies the 54th selection. A corner outfielder from a Massachusetts high school, Baez had been committed to Vanderbilt University. He’s a high-volatility prospect, with some of the best raw power in the class but questions about his hit tool given the lack of quality pitching he faced in the Northeast. Baez’s huge upside earned him spots among the top 35 prospects in the estimation of Law, Baseball America, and Eric Longenhagen and Kevin Goldstein of FanGraphs. St. Louis saved a bit of bonus pool space by going underslot with UCSB right-hander Michael McGreevy in the first round.
- The Royals came to a $1MM agreement with fourth-rounder Shane Panzini, Callis reports. That’s nearly double the $538.2K slot value that comes with the 108th selection. Kansas City’s clearly more bullish than most public evaluators on Panzini, who came in at #239 in Baseball America’s pre-draft rankings. BA noted that the right-hander can get his fastball into the mid-90s and has a clean delivery, but expressed concerns about his lack of impactful secondary pitches and advanced age for a prep draftee (he turns 20 in October). Nevertheless, the Royals were comfortable offering the New Jersey native seven figures to forego his commitment to the University of Virginia.
Atlanta got a steal
Maybe the Braves find a way to save enough money to sign their 20th round pick. Sounds stupid, but he’s legit enough to hold out
Ty Evans? I don’t know about that. How much to take him away from Florida’s program that readily produces elite talent signing for 10x his presumed offer?
With that pick, ATL is hoping he’s honored enough to sign on the dotted line before he fully realizes his potential – the equivalent for finding an item incorrectly priced and “asking to speak to the manager” to get the discount for the error. Yes, I just compared Braves to acting like Karen.
You had me until that last part..
You guys need to do a draft signings page. I cannot find one anywhere that is complete.
I see where KC picked players at where they were expected to go, or earlier than they were expected to go, yet they seem to be having to pay over slot to sign them. Are players just not as willing to sign with KC? I have always thought signability was factored into the expected draft order of these prospects.
Josh Baez is the best J. Baez in the NL Central…
Yay, another pitcher in Atlanta.
I mean, kind of? He’s essentially a two-way player, being their starting SS though seeing him as a P. It doesn’t hurt that SS translates to just about any position besides C. For a fan base that constantly harps on being pitching heavy (despite constantly being in need of it at the ML level), this is possibly ATL’s safest draft option, especially knowing we could use the SS depth (with Shewmake & Swanson a FA after ’22).
Spencer was really great during the final round of the regional when the huskers were playing Arkansas. in the elimination game he pitched in relief for like four innings helping nebraska win & forcing a third and final matchup against Arkansas the next day. Those of us who are husker fans are really going to miss Spencer.
Have any of the 18 pitchers out of 20 draft picks by the Indians signed…or are they all going to learn how to play the OF ?
The Braves have reportedly signed everyone except their #1pick, #16, and #20.. With their #16 pick, he could follow his commitment to Texas Tech, coming from a smaller school this season, but I’m betting the Braves plan is to get everyone signed except #1 and #20 to see what all they can throw at their #20 pick, UF commit Ty Evans to get him to sign. If they can’t get him to sign, then you could see Anglin, their #16 pick get some extra money, and their #1 pick get slightly over his own slot idk..
But it looks like the Braves are really trying to go after Ty Evans..I certainly hope they’re able to get him. He could be a draft changer..