Braves Announce Signings of Draft Picks and Undrafted Free Agents
By Scott Rogust
To the delight of everyone, baseball is officially back. With the league and players' union officially agreeing to terms on a 60-game season, the Atlanta Braves took care of some business hours after the announcement.
On Tuesday morning, the Braves announced the signings of all four of their MLB Draft selections in Wake Forest left handed pitcher Jake Shuster, Michigan outfielder Jesse Franklin, Clemson pitcher Spencer Strider, and Texas pitcher Bryce Elder. Additionally, the team announced they've agreed to deals with six undrafted free agents.
The Atlanta Braves today announced the club signed all four of its selections from the 2020 First-Year Player Draft, as well as six non-drafted prospects: pic.twitter.com/QIk1zD8yAV
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) June 23, 2020
Shuster led the way in terms of money, as the Braves inked him to a $2.2 million contract. To round things out, Atlanta signed Franklin for $497,500, Strider for $451,800, and Elder for $850,000.
Out of the six free agents, the one that the Braves really highlighted was that of Georgia shortstop Cam Shepherd. Throughout his collegiate career, Shepherd built a reputation as being a tremendous defender, which is evident by his .970 fielding percentage. Shepherd earned the ABCA/Rawlings Gold Glove Award in 2019 as Division I's best defensive shortstop and went an entire season without making an error!
#Braves made official the signing of all four 2020 draft picks: Wake Forest LH Jared Shuster, Michigan OF Jesse Franklin Clemson RH Spencer Strider and Texas RH Bryce Elder. In addition, team announced signings of 6 non-drafted free agents led by former Georgia SS Cam Shepherd
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) June 23, 2020
The other five signings were Tusculum College right-handed pitcher Carter Linton, Miami outfielder Landon Stephens, San Diego CC outfielder Ethan Workinger, Columbus State infielder Bryson Horne, and Calvert Hall College High School catcher Antonio Barranca.
All free agents were given $20,000 signing bonuses based off the altered MLB Draft rules caused by the coronavirus pandemic.