Title: Rays Sign Adrian Santana, 31st Overall Pick, to Rookie Contract
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In a flurry of signings today, the Los Angeles Angels and Atlanta Braves sealed deals with their first-round draft picks. However, in an unexpected move, the Tampa Bay Rays quietly secured a contract with Competitive Balance Round A selection, Adrian Santana, according to Baseball America’s Carlos Collazo.
Santana, a highly-touted high school infielder hailing from South Florida, garnered attention for his exceptional skills both at the plate and in the field. Standing at 5’11” tall, the switch-hitting prospect impressed scouts with his lightning-fast speed and advanced defensive prowess at shortstop.
Despite his promising skill set, concerns about Santana’s offensive impact arose due to his smaller frame. Nonetheless, his potential had him ranked 38th on the pre-draft rankings at MLB Pipeline and 39th at Baseball America.
Reports indicate that Santana’s signing bonus amounts to $2.00295 million, slightly below the slot value of $2.67 million designated for the 31st overall pick. By securing Santana’s commitment, the Rays have successfully added a young and talented player to their farm system.
Before inking the deal with the Rays, Santana had been committed to the University of Miami, raising eyebrows in the baseball community. However, the allure of turning pro seemed to outweigh his collegiate aspirations, leading him to sign his first professional contract with the Rays.
The signing of Santana came as a surprise to many, as the young prospect was not expected to fall to the 31st overall pick. With his signing, the Rays continue to show their dedication to bolstering their talent pool and nurturing promising young players that may contribute to their future success.
As the 2021 MLB Draft continues to unfold, fans and analysts are eagerly waiting to see which other top prospects will follow in Santana’s footsteps and sign lucrative contracts with their respective teams.