The Texas Rangers have finalized agreements with their first 17 draft picks, including their top selection, Malcolm Moore. Moore, a catcher from Stanford, was the 30th overall pick in Major League Baseball’s amateur draft, which took place during the All-Star festivities hosted by the Rangers.
The team revealed the signings on Wednesday, eight days after the draft concluded.
Moore was introduced to fans before the Rangers’ game against the Chicago White Sox, following a batting practice session with the team. He received a $3 million signing bonus.
Dylan Dreiling, an outfielder from Tennessee and the Rangers’ second-round pick, was awarded a $1,287,600 bonus.
Additionally, the Rangers signed four undrafted free agents.
Moore is the fourth catcher the Rangers have selected in the first round, and the first since 2010. Of the previous three catchers taken in the first round, only Bill Haselman, picked 23rd overall in 1987, made it to the major leagues.
Moore, a left-handed hitter, had an impressive college career, batting .288 with 31 home runs and 99 RBIs in 118 games over two seasons at Stanford. In his sophomore year, he led the Cardinal with 16 home runs in 54 games and had more walks (44) than strikeouts (35).