Pirates and Gerrit Cole Reach Agreement

Last night the Pittsburgh Pirates signed first overall pick Gerrit Cole on their way to handing out a record $17 million in signing bonuses.

Along with Cole, Pittsburgh was able to reach an agreement with second rounder Josh Bell.  Many around baseball considered it nearly impossible for the club to bring in both highly touted prospects.

It took $8 million to ink Cole, who agreed to a Minor League deal with the club instead of the customary Major League deals that are awarded to the draft’s top picks.  Cole likely agreed to the Minor League deal because it was the highest-paying in history.

Though he was not taken in the first round of picks, Bell was not considered second round talent.  What caused him to fall was his strong commitment to play baseball for the University of Texas.  The Pirates gave him 5 million reasons to reconsider, and he ultimately decided to become a professional.

Overall the night was a successful one for many teams, as every club but the Blue Jays got their first round pick signed.  Only two players in the first and supplemental rounds failed to reach an agreement with the teams that drafted them.

For more on the Minor Leagues, be sure to check out Seedlings to Stars.