LSU signee Blake Mitchell officially inks under-slot deal with Royals
In a decision that should come as no surprise to LSU, catcher Blake Mitchell will not enroll in Baton Rouge and will join the Kansas City Royals after the team drafted him with the eighth pick in the 2023 MLB draft last weekend.
According to MLB.com’s Jim Callis, Mitchell agreed to a signing bonus of $4.9 million. That’s nearly $1 million below the slot value for the eighth pick, which sits at $5,980,100.
Mitchell ranks as the top high school catcher prospect and is the No. 8 overall prospect in his class. Perfect Game also ranks him as the top player in the talent-rich state of Texas.
1st-rder Blake Mitchell signs w/@Royals for $4.9 million (pick 8 value = $5,980,100). Texas HS C, best prep backstop in @MLBDraft by a wide margin, lefty bat w/tools to hit for power & average, agile defender, big-time arm up to 97 mph on mound. Louisiana State recruit. pic.twitter.com/OTZpZwfWce
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 15, 2023
Mitchell is the only LSU signee who is expected to sign with a pro club following the draft. The Tigers expect left-handed pitcher Cameron Johnson — the No. 11 high school prospect in the country and a 20th-round pick — to make it to campus.
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