The Detroit Tigers signed the draft’s first overall pick, Spencer Torkelson, for a signing bonus of $ 8,416,300, breaking the previous record of $ 8,100,000 that the Baltimore Orioles gave to last year’s first overall pick, Adley Rutschmann. Torkelson becomes the first No. 1 overall pick to sign for the value of the previous slot, which was just $ 1,000 less.
The firm completes contract work for the Tigers, who have signed their six draft picks totaling $ 13,968,600 in signing bonuses. The previous record bonus awarded by the Tigers was $ 7.5 million paid to pitcher Casey Mize, the first overall pick two years ago.
The general election n. # 1 Spencer Torkelson signs with @Tigers for $ 8,416,300 (slot value = 8,415,300). New @MLBDraft bonus record, also first general pick n. # 1 to get or maximum slot value in the bonus group era. Perhaps the best full offensive talent to exit the Draft in 20 years.
– Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) June 30, 2020
Torkelson is expected to be added to the list of 60 Tigers players who will participate in the summer camp and be eligible to be called to Detroit, though the club plans to test him at third base, and is not expected to play in the major leagues. this season.
He joins a lead-packed cast that includes pitchers Case Mize, Matt Manning, Franklin Perez, Tarik Skubal and Alex Faedo along with hitters Riley Greene, Isaac Paredes and Derek Hill. Summer camp is expected to be underway at Comerica Park this weekend.
Here is a complete list of the 2020 Tigers draft picks and their signing bonuses.
