NEW YORK (AP) — Just one first-round selection failed to sign under the second year of baseball’s new draft rules, with Toronto unable to reach an agreement with No. 10 pick Phil Bickford.
There were fewer deadline-day agreements than in recent years, as more players signed in the weeks after the draft was held from June 6-8.
In the hours leading up to Friday’s deadline, the Chicago Cubs finalized a deal with No. 2 pick Kris Bryant ($6,708,400), Miami agreed with No. 6 selection Colin Moran ($3,516,500) and the New York Yankees completed a deal with No. 33 pick Aaron Judge ($1.8 million).
Five first-round picks signed on the final day last year, down from 22 in 2011, the last year before restraints on signing bonuses were put in place.
