UPDATE: In a stunning turn of events, all but two of the top MLB draft picks have signed contracts ahead of the August 1, 2023 deadline. Clemson outfielder Cam Cannarella has reached an agreement with the Miami Marlins for a signing bonus of $2,277,425, just above the slot value of $2,276,700.
Cannarella was selected 43rd overall by the Marlins with a competitive balance pick, solidifying his transition to professional baseball. The clock is ticking, and the implications of this signing ripple through the league as teams finalize their rosters for the upcoming season.
Meanwhile, Angel Cervantes, a right-handed pitcher chosen 50th overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates, has opted not to sign and will instead attend UCLA. His decision leaves the Pirates with an extra pick in next year’s draft, specifically the 51st overall, as compensation.
Additionally, outfielder Mason Ligenza, selected 195th by the Los Angeles Dodgers, has also declined to sign, choosing to head to the University of Pittsburgh instead.
The urgency of the situation reflects the heightened stakes in this year’s draft. Notably, Eli Willits, the first overall pick by the Washington Nationals, signed for an impressive $8.2 million, while Tyler Bremner, selected second by the Los Angeles Angels, agreed to a hefty $7,689,525 deal. Kade Anderson, the third pick, inked a deal with Seattle for $8.8 million.
The overall landscape of the draft saw Colorado sign Ethan Holliday, an infielder from Stillwater High School, for a remarkable $9 million.
In a significant note for the league, no team exceeded its signing bonus pool by more than 5%, which would have led to the loss of a first-round pick in next year’s draft. In fact, twenty teams went over by 5% or less, including twelve that hit exactly the 5% mark. Historically, no team has ever exceeded its signing bonus pool by more than this threshold.
As the dust settles on this year’s draft, all eyes will be on the two unsigned players and the impact of their decisions on their respective teams. Fans eagerly await the next moves from the Pirates and Dodgers, as their strategies will shape the future landscape of Major League Baseball.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops, and check back for the latest news on the MLB draft and its implications for the upcoming season.