Pirates Sign Pair of Top MLB Draft Picks

As the Pittsburgh Pirates brace for a seemingly tough 2020 season, the organization got some internal business done prior to the start of spring training.

According to Jim Callis of MLB.com, the Pirates signed supplemental first-round pick Carmen Mlodzinski and second-round selection Jared Jones to their rookie contracts. Mlodzinksi received a $2.05 million bonus, which was well below his slot value of $2.31 million. As for Jones, he hit the jackpot in the form of a $2.2 million bonus.

Mlodzinski entered the 2020 MLB Draft as the No. 21 overall prospect. Even though he spent his high school playing career as an infielder, Mlodzinski transitioned to pitching with the South Carolina Gamecocks. Between a less than ideal freshman season and suffering a broken foot as a sophomore, the right-handed pitcher made the most of his opportunity in the Cape Cod League last summer.

In summer ball, Mlodzinski posted a 2.15 ERA and struck out 40 batters in 29.1 innings with the Falmouth Commodores.

Jones, a two-way player, was selected by the Pirates out of La Mirada High School in California. In case he wasn't able to reach an agreement with the Pirates, he had committed to University of Texas. That obviously wasn't the case, as the team signed him well over the $1.69 million slot value.

According to Maxpreps.com, Jones posted a 0.89 ERA and 255 strikeouts in 180.1 innings pitched, while slashing .394/.473/.566 in the batter's box throughout his high school career.

The Pirates utilized their abundance of cash to ensure they locked in in hopes of them being their pitchers of the future.