Blue Jays sign fifth round selection Thomas

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos, right, talks with pitching coach Pete Walker. (Nathan Denette/CP)

The Toronto Blue Jays officially signed centre fielder Lane Thomas, their fifth-round draft pick. While the recommended bonus for the 144th overall pick is $343,000, MLB.com’s Jim Callis reported that Thomas obtained a $750,000 guarantee from Toronto.

The right-handed hitting 18-year-old had committed to the University of Tennessee, but instead decided to sign with the Blue Jays, who have now officially locked up three of their 41 selections. The Blue Jays agreed to terms with fourth-round pick Matt Morgan and eighth-round pick Justin Shafer over the weekend.

The Blue Jays can spend $9,458,500 on selections within the first 10 rounds of the draft. If teams exceed their draft pools, they pay harsh penalties that escalate in proportion to the excess spending.

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