With Major League Baseball set to resume their modified training camps, teams are doing their best to get their rookie classes under contract. The Pirates are no exception, and have four of their six draft picks signed.
The team's second round selection, right handed pitcher Jared Jones, already signed his contract, but the financial terms of his contract were recently released. This per Jim Callis of MLB.com:
2nd-rder Jared Jones signs with @Pirates for $2.2 million (slot 44 value = $1,689,500). California HS RHP, sits in the mid-90s, solid slider too, also two-way guy with big raw power. Texas recruit. @MLBDraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 2, 2020
Jones signed for $510,500 over slot. That was expected, which is partially why the Pirates drafted right-handers Jack Hartman and Logan Hofmann with their final two picks, to save some money for Jones.
Getting Jones under contract is a big step in the right direction for the Pirates to have the room to sign the rest of their rookies. The only players remaining to sign their first professional deals are second first-round pick, Carmen Mlodzinski and third-rounder Nick Garcia, both college right-handed pitchers. With Jones' deal done, the Pirates should have enough money remaining in their draft bonus pool to sign both.
The news of Jones' contract details comes after first-rounder Nick Gonzales signed for $5,432,400 on June 24, and fifth-round righty Hofmann for $125,000 on June 27. Jones signed his contract over a week ago, but this is the first time the contract details are being made public.
As for the two unsigned rookies, there is still time for the organization and their agents to come to terms on a deal. This year’s deadline to sign draft picks is July 12 at 5 p.m. ET.
In other news, the Pirates are back at PNC Park for their modified summer camp, and you can expect all the news and notes surrounding this non-traditional training camp right here at DKPittsburghSports.com as the team prepares for the 60-game regular season.
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