The Toronto Blue Jays have worked out a deal with 2018 first-round draft pick Jordan Groshans and 25 of their other selections.
The Blue Jays have now agreed to terms with nine of their top 10 draft picks, the lone exception being second-round pick Griffin Conine. The team has until July 6 to reach a deal with Conine, but many of its 2018 draft negotiations are now complete, with Groshans reportedly obtaining a below-slow bonus and his high school teammate Adam Kloffenstein obtaining an over-slot deal.
The 12th overall draft slot has a value of $4,200,900 but Groshans obtained $3.4 million, according to Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline. Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports reported earlier Tuesday that a deal with Groshans was complete.
By spending less on Groshans, the Blue Jays were able to spend more aggressively on Kloffenstein, a third-round pick who obtains a $2.45 million bonus that exceeds the recommended value of $652,900 for the 88th overall pick.
Groshans was drafted out of high school as a shortstop but could see time at third base with Bo Bichette, Logan Warmoth and Kevin Smith already working their way through Toronto’s system.
Groshans impressed the Blue Jays with his advanced hitting approach at Magnolia High School in Magnolia, Tex.
“We just feel Jordan has a lot of the attributes we look for both in his swing and his combination of contact, power, plate discipline,” Blue Jays amateur scouting director Steve Sanders said after the draft. “He’s got a great feel and approach in the box. He’s able to drive the ball to all fields. We’re confident that his offensive ability will translate with wood to the next level.”
With files from Ben Nicholson-Smith
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