The Rockies are in settlement with first-round decide Gabriel Hughes, reviews Jim Callis of MLB.com (Twitter link). He receives a $4MM signing bonus that’s effectively beneath the $4.98MM slot worth that accompanies the #10 general decide.
The underslot phrases considerably mirror Hughes’ pre-draft repute as extra of a mid-late first-round expertise. He checked in between twenty second and thirty third on prospect lists at Baseball America, The Athletic, FanGraphs, ESPN and MLB Pipeline. Evaluators reward his low-mid 90s fastball and above-average or higher slider whereas suggesting his seldom-used changeup has nonetheless proven some potential in restricted utilization. The 6’4″ hurler can also be credited with succesful management and an old-school workhorse construct that might make him a quick-moving rotation piece.
One of many youthful school pitchers within the class, Hughes received’t flip 21 till subsequent month. He nonetheless had no drawback excelling throughout his ultimate season at Gonzaga College, working to a 3.21 ERA with a 34.1% strikeout charge and a 9.1% stroll share by way of 98 innings.
Colorado has additionally come to phrases with their two supplemental first-rounders, per reviews from Callis (Twitter links). Sterlin Thompson receives a $2.4305MM bonus that matches the slot worth related to the #31 decide. A left-handed hitter out of the College of Florida, Thompson broke out with a .354/.443/.563 exhibiting over 305 plate appearances throughout his ultimate season in Gainesville. Baseball America positioned the 6’4″ Thompson because the #29 prospect within the class, writing that he’s more likely to transfer to the nook outfield full-time as a professional. Each BA and Callis credit score him with a complicated really feel for the strike zone and the possibility to develop right into a little bit of energy as he fills out his body.
In the meantime, Jordan Beck will take dwelling a $2.2MM bonus that is available in a bit above the $2.1MM slot worth tied to the #38 decide. A right-handed energy bat from the College of Tennessee, Beck checked in at #36 on BA’s pre-draft rankings. He hit .298/.391/.595 with 18 homers throughout his junior season in Knoxville, though he additionally struck out at an elevated 20.9% clip. That results in some hit device questions, however Beck has a robust energy and athleticism mixture.
