According to the Associated Press, the average earnings for MLB players in 2022 are expected to be $4.51 million. The slot value is the amount of money assigned to each pick in the draft. Atlanta, Sean Gilmartin, LHP, Florida State, $1,134,000. AP. 4 prospect in Miami's system and said his "offensive skills will make him a valuable player." Money from the bonus pool this can be used in trades, something which rapidly became common, as teams figured out quickly that it was sometimes worth it to give up a second-tier prospect in order to acquire enough bonus money to sign a top-rank international player (the bidding for Shohei Ohtani before the 2018 season was an illustration). Some bad real estate investments reportedly blew it all away and when his playing career was over, he transitioned to the front office. After an unusual amount of drama leading up to the 2021 Draft's signing deadline, this year's was relatively calm. What Are the Pros and Cons of Signing a Large Bonus? Join our linker program. August 2nd, 2022. MLB to cut amateur draft from 40 rounds to five in cost-saving measure. Here's everything you need to know going into the open of the 2023 international signing period. The league offered to eliminate the qualifying offer system in exchange for an international draft, but the MLBPA said no. The Manchester Baseball Schedule is Here! As a result, there is now a defined signing period for these players, and teams are issued a fixed bonus pool for all of their signings; if they exceed it, they are subject to penalties in the form of a luxury tax and the loss of said bonus pool in future years. He has signed with the Padres for $5.6 million, per MLB.com. San Diego, Joe Ross, RHP, Bishop O'Dowd HS, Oakland, $2.75 million. For a breakdown of the draft-deadline signings beyond the first round, Baseball America will havecontinuous updates. If you are dealing with the payment structure, you should consult a sports attorney or wealth advisor who understands the tax implications. Mayea also has a good approach at the plate and mans center field now, though he is likely to settle into a corner down the road. Average player salary in MLB sets record high. 30. By the early 2000s, signing bonuses had reached seven figures for some top prospects. He shows good throwing mechanics and a strong arm. 33. The Pittsburgh Pirates received the first pick after having the worst record in 2010. Each draft slot in the top ten is worth a predetermined amount of guaranteed bonus money. The major league baseball (MLB) draft is an annual process in which professional baseball teams select high school and college players. 20. 31. I agree to receive the "CBS Sports HQ Newsletter" and marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers), and other information from CBS Sports and the Paramount family of companies. Baltimore apparently pivoted to Young after it was unable to reach a deal with third-rounder Nolan McLean, an Oklahoma State right-hander/third baseman and the highest unsigned player in the 2022 Draft. The Athletic's MLB staff has comprehensive coverage of the 20-round, three-day event, including top-100 prospect rankings, mock drafts, prospect profiles, a . MLB teams must remain below a designated signing bonus threshold under the current MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Gerrit Cole out of the University of California, . For some of the players who were drafted in later rounds or who were considered to be signability prospects (players with a strong commitment to attend college rather than turn pro), it made more sense to wait until after the draft to sign with a team as undrafted free agents. In addition to Adley Rutschman, who was selected first overall in 2019, and Gerrit Cole, who was selected first overall in 2011, the only other Oriole to earn more than $8 million in bonus money was Kevin Slowey in 1991. This will be even more pronounced in tomorrow's slate, with winds looking to be brutal as the day progresses. With a larger bonus being paid out, a player will be willing to keep his salary expectations at a much more cap-friendly number. PLAYER. The draft you see every summer covers players born in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. 1 overall pick, Bryce Harper received a record-setting $9.9 million bonus from the Washington Nationals while fellow first-rounder Jameson Taillon signed for just $6.5 million with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Ultimately, it is up to each individual player to decide whether or not he wants to sign a large bonus. Cincinnati, Robert Stephenson, RHP, Alhambra HS, Martinez, Calif., $2 million. The 13th overall pick in the 2021 amateur draft nearly reached . The NFL Combine's on-field drills began Thursday, and while they're a chance for draft hopefuls to raise their stock, it's also an opportunity to make a bit of history. 3. x-Arizona, Trevor Bauer, RHP, UCLA, $4.45 million, four-year contract. As long as they get their bonus, then they will have done well. We also offer a variety of resources for baseball players, including tips on hitting, pitching, and fielding. The big signings on Day 3 were the 12th and 13th round selections. 24. 16. He's a switch-hitter with contact ability, power, and strong defensive chops. We've updated results for all 50 rounds. Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 26. . NOTE: This chart will be updated periodically as players sign and their signing bonuses are identified. After an unusual amount of drama leading up to the 2021 Draft's signing deadline, this year's was relatively calm. Pittsburgh, Gerrit Cole, RHP, UCLA, $8 million. One of the top two-way players available, he offers a fastball that reaches 99 mph and a pair of power breaking balls as a reliever, as well as huge raw power and a strong arm at the hot corner. In addition to taking into account the market for similar players and the slot value assigned to each Draft Pick by Major League Baseball agents also have to factor in their own commission when negotiating with teams on behalf of their clients. . Players selected in the first round of the draft typically sign for well above slot value, as they are considered the best prospects in the class and have more leverage in negotiations. Compensation for loss of Type A free agent, Compensation for loss of Type A free agent Rafael Soriano, Compensation for loss of Type B free agent, Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas, List of first overall Major League Baseball draft picks, "2011 First-Year Player Draft Order Announced: MLB Network to Host Day One Festivities on Monday, June 6th Live From Studio 42 Pittsburgh Pirates Select First Overall; Tampa Bay Rays Hold 10 of Top 60 Picks", "Pirates guaranteed worst record, No. The team signed high schooler Sean Hermann for $135,000, so take $10,000 away from that past slot value savings . Obviously, going to college has its benefits (a degree, for one), but it also means waiting longer before potentially reaching the Major Leagues For some players, its worth the wait; for others, they would rather start their professional career as soon as possible. The baseball draft has been around for nearly 50 years, and in that time, the game has changed a lot. Not only was he a standout baseball player in high school, but he was also a top-rated quarterback in football. These bonuses are determined by the slot of first round picks or the round of later picks, according to a scale devised by the Commissioner's office. })(); Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Donald Glover: From Baseball Player To Award-Winning Actor, Stay Informed About Baseball With Baseball Tonight Scoreboard Podcast, Making Your Baseball Bat Stand Out: Stamping A USA Logo For A Patriotic Touch. Leiter . First, it was Dylan Larkin signing an eight-year, $69.6 million deal with Detroit that will keep him in the Motor City until he is 34 years of age. Despite the fact that they are ranked last in terms of spending, the Tampa Bay DevilRays still lead the American League East. The Advantages And Disadvantages Of Wearing Gloves For Baseball Pitchers, Review Of The Top Baseball Helmets For Optimal Protection And Performance, Experience The Magic Of Target Field: Minnesota Twins Home Since 2010, Exploring The Differences Between Mens And Womens Baseball Caps, A Special Place For Kids At Second Base: Enhancing The Baseball Experience For Players And Fans, The Fascinating History Of The Brown Stuff On Baseball Helmets, Minnesota Vikings Unveil Sleek New Look For Thursday Night Football Game. Now you can watch the entire NBA season or your favorite teams on streaming. Last summer, No. For example, last years No. April 3, 2019. 3 pick. listeners: [], The Dodgers have a total bonus pool of just over $4.6 million, the second-lowest figure in the 2021 MLB Draft, which begins with the first round on Sunday night (4 p.m. PT, ESPN). This year, the Brewers have a bonus pool allotment of $7,070,900 for the top 10 rounds. I think it says a lot about Aroldis commitment to being a Red, Hendricks said. The MLB draft is a process that every professional baseball team goes through in order to acquire new talent. According to The Associated Press, Major League Baseball players will earn an average of $4.41 million in 2022. And that is the least that the teams owe these young men. The Orioles, Pirates, Rockies, Mets and Guardians each signed five players for top 100 bonuses in the draft, tied for the most of any club. He is rumored to have a deal in place with the Yankees. There are no more direct-to-majors contracts and all draft picks will have to sign a minor league contract. Much of the play-by-play, game results, and transaction information both shown and used to create certain data sets was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by RetroSheet. Do you have a blog? As a result, teams started cutting back on their spending, and signing bonuses decreased significantly. Some experts argue that signing bonuses should be based on merit, rather than on draft position. The draft order is determined based on the previous seasons standings, with the team with the Worst Record receiving the first pick. Signing Bonus/Team . Angelo State University Baseball Team is a Must See, Jujutsu Kaisen Fans Will Love These Baseball Jerseys, Top draft picks and Their Signing Bonuses. Unfortunately for the elite center, the signing was accompanied by a pair of trades that saw Tyler Bertuzzi and Filip Hronek shipped out for four draft picks, including two first-round selections. CONTRACT BONUS 1. Houston Astros Carlos Correa, SS $4.8 Million (via AP h/t ESPN) 2. pic.twitter.com/wVJW3jYnkc. Round 4: $ 750,400 agents are paid a percentage of the total value of the contract, so they have a vested interest in getting their clients the biggest possible bonuses. MLB Draft Signing Deadline: Bonuses For The First SixtyPicks, The Clippers Russell Westbrook experiment is off to a terrible start. Baseball players with the most money are offset by players with the least money. Baseball players sign contracts to become professional athletes in the United States. Enjoy live and on-demand online sports on DAZN. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { Round 9: $207,100 Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. The MLB draft bonus works like this: each team has a bonus pool of money that they can use to sign draft picks. ); callback: cb { And the unpalatable truth is that much of these massive salaries are never paid out by teams to the players who sign. Kansas City, Bubba Starling, OF, Gardner-Edgerton HS (Kan.), $7.5 million. The amount a player is able to command depends on a number of factors, including their . International free agency remains through at least 2026, when the collective bargaining agreement expires. Because of a smaller draft class in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were more seniors in this year's draft and Cleveland selected three college seniors in the first 10 rounds. The bonus is not linked to the teams performance in any games; rather, it is subject to availability. Salas has baseball bloodlines. Because they didn't sign McLean and Sproat, the Orioles and Mets will receive compensation picks following the third round of the 2023 Draft. 29. . Sunday, July 17: Rounds 1-2, 7 p.m. ET/ 4 p.m. PTMonday July 18: Rounds 3-10, 2 p.m. ET/ 11 a.m. PTTuesday, July 19: Rounds 11-20, 2 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT. Round 1: $2,917,000 Boston (from Texas), Blake Swihart, C, V. Sue Cleveland HS, Rio Rancho, N.M., $2.5 million. event : evt, So what happens if a player is drafted but doesnt want to sign with that particular club? -The amount of money being offered by each team California taxes individuals at the highest rate, 13.3%. 13. The Orioles signed 17th-rounder Carter Young for $1,325,000, nearly tripling the previous record for that round: $450,000 by Pirates right-hander Ryan Hafner in 2010. As aforementioned, each draft pick in the first 10 rounds has a slotted value. The league offered to eliminate the qualifying offer system in exchange for an international draft, Kik Hernndez recounts on-field bathroom accident, Phillies top prospect Andrew Painter has tender elbow, Max Scherzer fools hitter with new pitch clock rules, Report: Padres looking to extend Juan Soto, Josh Hader, Four international prospects to watch in the WBC, Team USA World Baseball Classic roster, schedule. Their call in the strike zone can determine the outcome of a game, and they are the first line of defense. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. The 2022 MLB Draft is in the books. Signing bonuses for first round picks typically run in the millions, but may drop off quickly after that to just a few thousand dollars for players in the 40th round. Highest-Owned Golfers. The Dodgers' first-round pick in the 2016 amateur draft, Lux played nine games at shortstop last season while hitting .276 with six homers and 42 RBIs in 129 games, most at second base and some . Tampa Bay, Jake Hager, SS, Sierra Vista HS, Las Vegas, $963,000. The Orioles select SS Jackson Holliday with the No. He is a proud supporter of his local team, the Toronto Blue Jays, and loves to explore the history and culture of the sport. These players are often talented enough to warrant being drafted high but their agents are seeking a higher bonus than what is typically given to players drafted in that range. Pool; Pool Remaining; $794,000 1 BAL; $782,400 2 ARI; $770,700 3 PIT; $758,900 4 WSH; $747,100 5 MIA; $735,500 6 CHC; $724,600 7 KC; $713,300 8 COL; $702,100 9 LAA; $691,300 10 NYM; However, even among first-round picks there can be wide variation in bonuses, as teams often place different values on different players. Its no secret that in baseball, money talks. Tampa Bay (from Boston), Taylor Guerrieri, RHP, Spring Valley HS, Columbia, S.C., $1.6 million. He is already exhibiting leadership skills and runs well for a catcher. Question, Comment, Feedback, or Correction? We got a hold of the bonus slot values and, it follows, each team's total pool amount for the upcoming 2019 MLB Draft. -The player has a strong commitment to attend college and does not want to give up his college eligibility by signing a professional contract. The Astros originally signed Cristian Javier and Framber Valdez to $10,000 bonuses in 2015. Assuming that they have have a good team around them, and lets be frank, with both of their fathers being former MLB players, this wont be their first rodeo, then they will make sure that whatever contract they sign will contain the following two clauses as a minimum: Jackson Holliday and Druw Jones made history tonight pic.twitter.com/Tjsfq5q0VC. 2. There is a good chance that the Jaguars freed up cap space with the specific purpose of having money to sign tight-end Evan . Every Sports Reference Social Media Account. Editor's Note: The slot amounts and bonus pools have been updated with revised amounts. The younger Salas has all the tools to be an impact player at the game's most demanding position. The Rockies officially announced the signing of Toglia, while MLB.com's Jim Callis noted the bonus is worth $2,725,000, a bit under slot value. 100% deposit match up to ,000. The signing bonuses for the first-round selections in the 20011 amateur baseball draft: (x-major league contract): 1. N.Y. Mets, Brandon Nimmo, OF, Cheyenne (Wyo.) Round 8: $ 260,900 Sucker punch in OVC tournament leads to 3 ejections. ROUND 1: PICK: OVERALL: TEAM: PLAYER: POS. How are MLB draft signing bonuses taxed? That dream will come to an end for nearly 700 professional athletes. Success. Milwaukee, Taylor Jungmann, RHP, Texas, $2,525,000. However, there is a wide range of bonuses given out in this round, with some players signing for as little as $10,000 and others signing for over $1 million. The Orioles hold the first pick for the second time in the last four years and have a number of options, including consensus top prospect Druw Jones, top college hitter Brooks Lee and 2022 BA High School Player of the Year Jackson Holliday. Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. 32. This year, every selection in the first two rounds completed contracts by Saturday evening, two days before today's 5 p.m. In comparison to draftees who did not sign, only 9.8 percent have obtained 0.1 career WAR. Sign up now to get the inside scoop on the latest bonus offers. There are bonus pool penalties for signing major-league free agents who have a qualifying offer attached, and teams can once again trade for an additional 60 percent of their original bonus pool this year. Round 7: $ 333,800 The most lucrative draft day for players is in the first round, but players drafted in the later rounds may receive less money. Click here to get started. Teams can use the bonus money it saved on that pick and go "over slot" to sign a later draft pick. Cuban OF Brandon Mayea: According to MLB.com, one evaluator dubbed 17-year-old Mayea "mini Gary Sheffield" for his explosive bat speed. That said, bonuses of $10,000 or less do not count against the bonus pool, but that doesn't mean the players getting those checks shouldn't get some attention too. But what happens if the player doesnt want to sign with the team that drafted him? The 2011 Major League Baseball draft was held from June 6 through June 8, 2011, from Studio 42 of the MLB Network in Secaucus, New Jersey. Athletes are required by law to pay taxes on their services in each jurisdiction in which they perform them. Round 3: $ 996,300 * 21+ (19+ CA-ONT) (18+ NH/WY). "Overall, there is lots of offensive upside, which is particularly valuable at such a premium position," writes MLB.com. Lump sum, doled out in yearly instalments, interest compounded, whatever. Dominican SS Joendry Vargas: One of the better pure hitters in the international class, 17-year-old Vargas has advanced strike zone knowledge and a rare sweet right-handed swing. 10 overall pick Kumar Rocker failed a post-Draft physical with the Mets, killing a $6 million bonus agreement and leading to a revised offer of $0 that the Vanderbilt right-hander obviously refused. Once selected in the amateur draft, players are offered signing bonuses as inducements to sign with the major league franchise and begin their professional careers. Boston (from Detroit), Matt Barnes, RHP, Connecticut, $1.5 million. The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball. The 2011 baseball draft was notable for the high Number of players who received signing bonuses of $1 million or more. 100SPINS. Ranking the best prospects in the Minnesota Twins farm system, projecting their 2026 lineup, rotation and more. However, if a player has already graduated from college, they are ineligible for the draft and must instead sign as a Free Agent, There are pros and cons to both signing immediately after being drafted and waiting to see if other teams make offers. [1] The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Gerrit Cole out of the University of California, Los Angeles, with the first overall pick. He shows good raw power, and it is expected to increase as he develops. A Casual Fan's Guide to This Year's M.L.B. Accurate information on international players can be hard to find, but bonus size is generally a good proxy for prospect status. The draft is an opportunity for young athletes to demonstrate their talent and build a name for themselves in the world of professional baseball. -The player was drafted by a team that is not offering him as much money as he feels he is worth. This is the amount of money that a player receives up front, before they even step foot on a Major League field. They believe that this would create more competition and lead to better players overall. Round 5: $ 570,500 That in turn had serious adverse effects. 2023 World Baseball Classic: who are the coaches of each national team? But one factor that is often overlooked is the agents role in negotiating the bonus. Going into Round 3 . For international players not subject to the amateur draft, there used to be no limits on bonuses paid, but some were instituted in the Collective Bargaining Agreements in the 2010s. Sunday marks the open of the 2023 international signing period, one of two ways MLB teams can acquire amateur talent each year. The vast majority of MLB umpires earn less than the salaries of the leagues top players. Odds & lines subject to change. However, there is a wide range of bonuses given out in this round, with some players signing for as little as $10,000 and others signing for over $1 million. Welcome to Birdland, @J_Holliday7! Every year, baseball fans look forward to the MLB First-Year Player Draft. Although money is important in determining a teams success, it is also critical to ensure that the team is managed properly. If many of the names in the 2022 MLB draft sound familiar, it's because their fathers had lengthy MLB careers. Each pick in the first 10 rounds has a designated slot value (signing bonus), with the first pick obviously slotted with the highest at just under $9 million. 10. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. The draft order was determined by the 2010 Major League Baseball standings. The 19-year-old allowed one run and three hits with a strikeout in two innings, a solid first step as he attempts to crack . Do you have a sports website? Each pick in the first ten rounds has a slot value (signing bonus), with the first pick clearly sloting in at more than $9 million. Korean baseball reporter Daniel Kimsays Shim is on the verge of signing with the Pirates. There is no doubt that these are some of the best athletes in the world who are just starting their professional careers, and they will undoubtedly make a lot of money. Detroit has the second-highest bonus pool, but the third pick in the draft. the signing bonus is not conditional on them playing any games at all for the team, 2022 MLB Mock Draft: First round predictions and pick projections. It will be crucial that these young men have financial experts on their team working to secure their bonus before they sign anything, since the bonus can be structured in any number of ways and contain language that makes it forfeit if they miss certain in-season targets. There is no right or wrong answer; it really varies from player to player. Players who choose to wait until after the draft to sign with a team are not subject to the same signing bonuses as players who are drafted. This page was last edited on 16 June 2020, at 15:51. Ball Boy salaries are not nearly as high as those of professional athletes. This helps teams spread their money around more evenly, and it also gives them more flexibility to sign other types of free agents. Watch our How-To Videos to Become a Stathead, Subscribe to Stathead and get access to more data than you can imagine. Written By Mo Nuwwarah on March 2, 2023. } Billy Beane quite famously was given $125,000 to forego Stanford. If a player selected in the draft does not sign with the team that drafted him, he becomes a free agent and is able to sign with any team he chooses (although he usually signs with the team that originally drafted him). 3. All but 3 Draft picks from top 10 rounds sign. 12. Last year, however, four players received bonuses in . Additionally, you can subscribe to Baseball America's newsletter and receive all of our rankings, analysis, prospect insight & more delivered to your inbox every day. The 2011 Baseball Draft is complete and we have all the information on which players received signing bonuses. 5. These jerseys are the perfect way to show your love for Jujutsu Kaisen. Despite the fact that the richest teams are winning the most money, they are not the only ones doing so. Any money . Those are the second- and third-largest bonuses in Draft history, trailing only the $8,416,300 that No. 7. Morales has been most closely connected to the Athletics. The larger the bonus, the more teams believe in the player. It is critical to have a Ball Boy in professional sports. With MLB odds released for the AL Central, there has already been considerable movement around the Minnesota Twins. A Vanderbilt shortstop, Young began the year as a potential first-rounder but batted just .207 with seven homers this spring before entering the transfer portal and committing to Louisiana State. Fill out this form and we will use a signing bonus tax calculator to calculate your tax liability. Jim Callis. With four of the top ten draft picks coming directly out of high school, the signing bonus is the best guarantee that they have against any future misfortune. The signing bonus is taxed in each state where you play. 9. 23. In comparison to $570,500, the bottom earners in the league earn $700,000. 1 pick in '11", "Draft Tracker - 2011 First-Year Player Draft". Vargas is expected to sign with the Dodgers. In order to access this exclusive content you must have a Baseball America Account. Forgot password? Once you sign your contract, you have to keep it in writing. @ JimCallisMLB. Michael Kopech, for example, earns $570,500 per year, putting him at the bottom of the league wage earners. The draft order is determined by the previous years standings, with the team with the worst record getting the first pick. signed a big-league deal for $4.4 million, MLB Draft Signing Deadline: A Review Of The First-Round Picks, MLB Draft Signing Deadline: Bonuses For The First Sixty Picks. As far as insurance policies go, this is a pretty sweet one for an 18-year-old. Both Jackson Holliday and Druw Jones are expected to have signing bonuses in the $8 million plus range, with Holliday nudging closer to nine. Check out our 'draft picks by draft number' charts. The Angels (Noah Syndergaard), Phillies (Nick Castellanos), Red Sox (Trevor Story), and Rangers (Corey Seager, Marcus Semien) each forfeited $500,000 to sign free agents with qualifying offers as non-CBT payers (Texas forfeited $500,000 each for Seager and Semien). Especially now that we have the report from ESPN that states Arizona will pay Kevin Kolb his $7 million bonus today. The Elias Sports Bureau ranks all players based on performance over the past two seasons, with the top 20% being considered "Type A" and the next 20% considered "Type B". Colorado, Tyler Anderson, LHP, Oregon, $1.4 million. Players who are deemed signability prospects often receive bonuses well above $100,000 when they sign as undrafted free agents. He has touched 100 mph, has a wide array of secondary pitches, and has been praised for his poise and makeup, per MLB.com. BA Newsletter: Get Analysis, Rankings Delivered To Your Inbox! pic.twitter.com/UZkCqmm0Nj. Signing Bonus/Team . Russell Westbrook is being left wide open on offense, and hes still hurting the Clippers. Milwaukee, Jed Bradley, LHP, Georgia Tech, $2 million. Initially a relative long shot at around +300, the Twins odds received some action that brought their consensus number closer to +200. The median salary is $65,000. This Month in Sports ReferenceFind out when we add a feature or make a change. For 2021, the Guardians' total draft pool amount was $7,397,700. He can choose to go to college and play baseball there for at least three years before re-entering the draft. You can expect significant changes in your taxes, depending on the language of your contract, among other factors. Since the introduction of the bonus pool in 2012, draft pick signing bonuses have been limited. -The length of the contract being offered With four of the top ten draft picks coming directly out of high school, the signing bonus is the best guarantee that they have against future misfortune Jeffrey May Update: July 19th, 2022 13:12 EDT As is often the case with top international prospects, Salas has been on the scouting radar for quite some time even though he is only 16. Druw Jones leads a talented field of second-generation prospects, there isn't much pitching and no, you probably won't see these guys in . From the first pick on Sunday through the 20th and final round on Tuesday, there's no doubt that future superstars were selected this week. Draft. Last summer, No. For the player, its a dream come true: getting drafted by a Major League Baseball team. [ UPDATE: Cardinals head coach Ken Whisenhunt releases statement saying that Manning is no longer an option .] McLean and the Orioles disagreed on the results of his post-Draft physical and he'll return to the Cowboys for his junior year. Spencer Torkelson received $8.4 million in bonus money from the Detroit Tigers in 2020, making him the highest-paid player ever. In the early years of the draft, signing bonuses were relatively small, but they gradually increased as teams competed for the best players. How much money do minor league baseball players earn. The Cincinnati Reds have agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman on a six-year contract worth $30.25 million, the largest signing bonus ever for a draft pick Chapman, who defected from Cuba last summer, will receive a $15.25 million signing bonus and salaries of $1 million in 2010, $2 million in 2011, $3 million in 2012 and $6 .