The Tampa Bay Rays had an impressive haul in this past year’s MLB draft, selecting 12 out of the top 100 players taken in the draft. As a result of all the free agents they lost this past offseason, the Rays had 10 first round draft picks and they made the most of their collection of picks, selecting a wide range of players and balancing upside with signability.
With short season ball just getting underway, the Rays seem to be hurrying to sign as many of their top draft picks as possible. Here are all the players that the Rays have signed thus far, courtesy of Rays Prospects:
Pick #32 — SS Jake Hager
Pick #42 — RHP Jeff Ames
Pick #52 — LHP Blake Snell
Pick #56 — OF Kes Carter
Pick #60 — OF James Harris, Jr.
These signing have been trickling in over the last week or so, and the news about Jake Hager signing was just released today. All in all, these picks have so far cost the Rays only $3.4 million, which is around $300 thousand less than slot. The Rays have gone over slot to sign a few of these picks, like Jake Hager, but for the most part they have been able to strike conservative deals with these players.
The rays have also signed second-round pick Granden Goetzman, a high school outfielder that is very highly thought of. He signed for slightly more than slot, getting $490 thousand.
For more analysis and coverage of the Rays’ 2011 draft picks, follow DRaysBay and Rays Prospects.