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Report: Royals top pick Witt to earn 2nd-highest bonus in draft history

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The Kansas City Royals have officially come to terms with their top selection from the 2019 MLB Draft, and they reportedly broke the bank to do so.

Bobby Witt Jr., a high school shortstop and the second overall selection in this past draft, signed for the full slot value ($7,789,900), according to Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline.

As a result, Witt will be awarded the second-highest bonus ever signed in draft history, behind 2011 first overall pick Gerrit Cole, who signed an $8-million bonus with the Pittsburgh Pirates. As a result, Witt's bonus is the richest awarded to a player not selected first overall.

Player Team Year Pick Bonus
Gerrit Cole Pirates 2011 1 $8M
Bobby Witt Jr. Royals 2019 2 $7.8M
Stephen Strasburg Nationals 2009 1 $7.5M
Bubba Starling Royals 2011 5 $7.5M
Casey Mize Tigers 2018 1 $7.5M

The Colleyville Heritage High School shortstop will turn 19 Friday and is the son of former Major League pitcher Bobby Witt, who was selected third overall in the 1985 MLB Draft before playing 16 seasons with the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, as well as short stints with five other teams. Following the 2019 MLB Draft, the pair of players became the highest-drafted father-son duo in league history.

The Baltimore Orioles have yet to sign first overall pick Adley Rutschman, whose slot value was set at $8,415,300, which could set a new record.

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