The Rockies are in agreement with first-round pick Gabriel Hughes, reports Jim Callis of MLB.com (Twitter link). He receives a $4MM signing bonus that’s well below the $4.98MM slot value that accompanies the #10 overall pick.
The underslot terms somewhat reflect Hughes’ pre-draft reputation as more of a mid-late first-round talent. He checked in between 22nd and 33rd on prospect lists at Baseball America, The Athletic, FanGraphs, ESPN and MLB Pipeline. Evaluators praise his low-mid 90s fastball and above-average or better slider while suggesting his seldom-used changeup has nevertheless shown some potential in limited usage. The 6’4″ hurler is also credited with capable control and an old-school workhorse build that could make him a quick-moving rotation piece.
One of the younger college pitchers in the class, Hughes won’t turn 21 until next month. He nevertheless had no problem excelling during his final season at Gonzaga University, working to a 3.21 ERA with a 34.1% strikeout rate and a 9.1% walk percentage through 98 innings.
Colorado has also come to terms with their two supplemental first-rounders, per reports from Callis (Twitter links). Sterlin Thompson receives a $2.4305MM bonus that matches the slot value associated with the #31 pick. A left-handed hitter out of the University of Florida, Thompson broke out with a .354/.443/.563 showing over 305 plate appearances during his final season in Gainesville. Baseball America placed the 6’4″ Thompson as the #29 prospect in the class, writing that he’s likely to move to the corner outfield full-time as a pro. Both BA and Callis credit him with an advanced feel for the strike zone and the chance to grow into a bit of power as he fills out his frame.
Meanwhile, Jordan Beck will take home a $2.2MM bonus that comes in a bit above the $2.1MM slot value tied to the #38 pick. A right-handed power bat from the University of Tennessee, Beck checked in at #36 on BA’s pre-draft rankings. He hit .298/.391/.595 with 18 homers during his junior season in Knoxville, although he also struck out at an elevated 20.9% clip. That leads to some hit tool questions, but Beck has a strong power and athleticism combination.
Why Chris Bryant?
BeKause they Kould.
Supplemental picks suck. Giving extra picks to teams just because they can’t draw fans is unfair to the rest of the league.
Agreed. I’m all for revenue sharing even though it is still somewhat bs when the receiving teams don’t even attempt to put out a competitive team, but the picks really shouldn’t be a thing.
While I agree with your sentiment, the Rockies are usually top 5-6 in attendance the NL, so it’s not like they can’t draw a crowd. They’re just horribly managed.
I believe the pick that they got Beck with was from Story signing with the Red Sox.
Thompson was the Story comp pick, Beck was the competitive balance selection.
It’s not about being able to draw fans. It is about being in smaller markets than the big ones and thus having fewer opportunities.
You shouldn’t be punished for doing good with smaller markets any more than you should be rewarded for doing poorly in large markets.
Supplemental picks have nothing to do with drawing fans . Some are compensation for losing free agents, the others are based strictly on market size.
FA related picks are comp picks. It’s the competitive balance picks that suck. COL is a big enough market where they don’t need to be given extra picks.
It is a combination of the 10 smallest markets and the 10 teams with the lowest revenue. The Rockies fall into the lowest revenue group because their TV deal is among the worst in MLB.
What happens if the draft choice refuses to sign? What real negotiation scope is there for either team or pick?