Yesterday we learned that second round pick Mitch Keller had agreed to terms with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Today, Jim Callis reports that the bonus Keller received was for $1 M.
2nd-rder Mitch Keller, @Pirates agree on $1 mil. (pick 86 value = $886,800). Iowa HS RHP, helium this spring, 90-94, hard curve. @MLBDraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) June 12, 2014
The slot value for the second round pick was $886,800. So Keller received a deal that was $113,200 over slot. The Pirates signed Cole Tucker to a deal that was $125,500 under slot, so that deal helped pay for this one.
Yesterday we ranked Keller as the tenth best prospect in the farm system. He’s expected to start his career in the GCL. By signing the deal, Keller passed up on his commitment to attend UNC.
The Draft Pick Signing Tracker has been updated with the new total. The Pirates still have $59,100 remaining for over-slot deals without penalty, or $405,211 remaining if they want to go over their bonus pool and incur a tax on the overage.
Tim started Pirates Prospects in 2009 from his home in Virginia, which was 40 minutes from where Pedro Alvarez made his pro debut in Lynchburg. That year, the Lynchburg Hillcats won the Carolina League championship, and Pirates Prospects was born from Tim's reporting along the way. The site has grown over the years to include many more writers, and Tim has gone on to become a credentialed MLB reporter, producing Pirates Prospects each year, and will publish his 11th Prospect Guide this offseason. He has also served as the Pittsburgh Pirates correspondent for Baseball America since 2019. Behind the scenes, Tim is an avid music lover, and most of the money he gets paid to run this site goes to vinyl records.
Tim, Do you consider this good value?
Yeah, it’s a fair price. He had a strong commitment, and was a top prospect and good value where he was picked.