The Pirates have signed Clay Holmes. His asking price was $1.2 million and he's believed to have gotten it–making his bonus an all-time draft record for a ninth-round selection. The previous standard was the $750,000 the Padres gave Jason Middlebrook in 1996.

A Slocomb (Ala.) HS righthander, Holmes has a strong frame (6-foot-4, 225 pounds) and fastball. His slider has its moments but lacks consistency. He had committed to Auburn.