The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed five more draft picks, according to a team press release. They signed outfielder Casey Hughston (3rd round); right-handed pitchers Jacob Taylor (4), Chris Plitt (14), Nick Hibbing (16); and first baseman Albert Baur (28). Hughston, Hibbing, and Baur will go to Morgantown, while Taylor and Plitt will pitch in the GCL.
The Pirates now have all of their top ten round picks signed, with the exception of fifth round left-handed pitcher Brandon Waddell, who is currently pitching for UVA in the College World Series. My guess is that he will sign right after his season is over, and I’m also guessing the Pirates have a good idea of his price tag. No word yet on bonuses for the other guys.
The big guys here are Hughston and Taylor, since they are top five round picks. Taylor is one of the most interesting arms in the draft, and I’m looking forward to seeing him a lot in the GCL this year. Both he and Plitt were signed out of the JuCo ranks. For information on all of the players, check out the Draft Pick Signing Tracker, which features links to their player profiles. The Pirates have now signed or agreed to deals with 25 players that we know about, and that includes 16 of their first 17 picks.
UPDATE 8:57 PM: Jim Callis reports that the Pirates signed Jacob Taylor for over-slot.
4th-rder Jacob Taylor signs w/@Pirates for $500k (127 slot = $439,400). Pearl River (Miss.) CC RHP, up to 97 at times, solid SL. @MLBDraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) June 19, 2015
The Pirates now have $105,900 remaining for over-slot deals, assuming the deals for Hughston, Tolman, Sendelbach, and the eventual deal for Waddell are all at slot. They could still create more money with those signings.
UPDATE 9:05 PM: Callis says that Hughston signed for $700,000, which is also above slot.
3rd-rder Casey Hughston signs w/@Pirates for $700k (96 slot = $592,700). Alabama OF, physical & toolsy, power & speed, maybe CF. @MLBDraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) June 19, 2015
That puts the running tally at negative $1,200, and still leaves three deals unannounced. Two of those players have signed, so we will see if there is more money on the way.
