New York Yankees Sign No. 26 Overall Pick Eric Jagielo for Slot Recommendation
June 12, 2013 · Kenny DeJohn · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
The New York Yankees front office wasted no time in signing the No. 26 overall pick (their first selection of the first round), third baseman Eric Jagielo.
Jim Callis of Baseball America reports, via Twitter, that Jagielo‘s signing bonus will be $1,839,400—the exact amount of the assigned pick value for that selection in the draft. A list of slot recommendations can be found here.
Jagielo becomes the fifth first-rounder to sign with their major league clubs, while also becoming the first college player to be taken (and signed) by the Yankees since John-Ford Griffin in 2001.
For those interested in Griffin’s major league career, he last played in the bigs in 2007 for the Toronto Blue Jays. He has just 23 at-bats (27 plate appearances) in his career. Griffin never played a game for the Yankees.
Jagielo, a third baseman from Notre Dame, has big left-handed power (according to Callis). This past spring, Jagielo made strides defensively and now profiles as a potential major leaguer at the position.
John Sickles of MinorLeagueBall.com opines that Jagielo could also have a future at first base should his glove at third not hold up:
“Scouts seem more comfortable with his (Jagielo‘s) glove now, but (teams) could still slot him at first base and he’ll have the bat for the position.”
What makes him so valuable to the Yankees (if he develops as expected) is that his left-handed power will translate perfectly at Yankee Stadium. His power is a result of his big frame. Standing at 6’3″ and weighing 215 pounds, Jagielo already has the body for the big leagues.
The Yankees front office acted swiftly in locking up their top draft choice, but there’s still much more work to be done. Fellow first-rounders Aaron Judge (No. 32, Fresno State) and Ian Clarkin (No. 33, James Madison High School) still need to be signed before the signing deadline.
General manager Brian Cashman and the scouting department for the Yankees did a great job in the draft (it’s hard not to with three first round picks), but now it’s up to the players and their respective agents to seal the deal.
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