Photo by Perfect Game
According to MLB Pipeline the Mets have inked their first-round pick from this year’s amateur draft, outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong.
The prep bat agreed to sign for the full slot value for the 19th overall pick, so $3.359 million will be docked from the Mets’ total bonus pool.
“I know I’m going to love the city, and I think I’m going to thrive there,” Crow-Armstrong told MMO’s Mathew Brownstein.
“I think it’s my kind of city, Queens is incredibly diverse and lively. New York City is obviously an incredibly fun and jumping place. The fans are crazy loyal, and I can’t wait to play in front of them one day.”
The Mets have now signed five of their six draft picks, with Mississippi State right-hander J.T. Ginn being the outlier.
Ginn, a first-round talent who slipped to the 52nd overall pick due to March elbow surgery, is likely to command a bonus significantly higher than the $1,403,200 slot value.
With the figures from five picks on the books, the Mets can offer Ginn up to $2,934,435 before being charged with the loss of future draft picks. No team has ever crossed that threshold.
While it’s possible that Crow-Armstrong joins the Mets’ Player Pool for the shortened season, it’s likely that he’ll begin his pro career in Port St. Lucie this fall once the details on an instructional league are hammered out.
Known for his strong glove, speed, and contact-oriented approach at the plate, here’s what Mets vice president of international and amateur scouting Tommy Tanous said after the draft:
“All spring I called him the left-handed magician in center field. He would fool around in center field, catching balls between his legs and kind of showing off. When I see a defensive player, whether it’s a shortstop, a catcher or a center fielder who likes to show their tools and likes to show off in pregame, while he is getting his work done, I know you have a pretty advanced defensive player.”
Welcome to the New York Mets, Pete!
