The Astros and supplemental first-round pick Lance McCullers Jr. have agreed on a $2.5 million bonus, pending a physical on Monday.
The assigned value for McCullers' No. 41 selection was $1,258,700. McCullers exceeded that amount by $1,241,300, eclipsing Cardinals second-rounder Carson Kelly for the highest bonus over pick value thus far in this year's draft. McCullers was considered a mid-first-round talent but dropped amid signability concerns.
The son of former big league pitcher Lance McCullers Sr., Lance Jr. has one of the most electric arms in the 2012 draft. Both his 94-96 mph fastball and his mid-80s slider grade as plus-plus pitches at times, and he has reached triple digits on the radar gun. He had committed to Florida, where he would have been a two-way player.
Because the Astros inked No. 1 overall choice Carlos Correa for $4.8 million (versus a $7.2 million pick value), they still remain $1,296,400 under their bonus cap for their signings so far. That should allow them to make a run at third baseman Rio Ruiz (fourth round) and lefthander Hunter Virant (11th), high schoolers who could command seven-figure bonuses.
View our Astros Draft Database here.
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I know it's absurdly early, but McCullers' quick signing tells me that this draft has been nothing short of a smashing success for Jeff Luhnow, Bobby Heck and co. This must be what it feels like to have an owner/GM who isn't inept. It may take a while, but I think this is going to be a very good time to be an Astros fan.
Posted by Scott Eiland | June 17, 2012 at 7:38 pm | Shortcut[...] 2012 draft to have signed for $1 million or more over his pick value, joining Astros sandwich pick Lance McCullers Jr., Cardinals second-rounder Carson Kelly and Red Sox fourth-rounder Ty [...]
Posted by Baseball America | Blog | Baseball America Draft Blog | Jays Sign Smoral For $2 Million | June 19, 2012 at 12:46 am | Shortcut[...] 55 selection. He's the sixth player to receive $1 million or more above his pick value, joining Lance McCullers Jr. (Astros, supplemental first round), Matt Smoral (Blue Jays, supplemental first), Carson Kelly [...]
Posted by Baseball America | Blog | Baseball America Draft Blog | Padres Sign Weickel For $2 Million | July 3, 2012 at 7:54 pm | Shortcut