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Draft  | Signing Bonuses | 5/9/2011

Signing Bonuses: No. 1 Overall Picks Year-by-Year

Photo: Ryan Young

Baseball signing bonuses to first-round picks have grown exponentially since 1965, when the draft was instituted ostensibly to reverse the growth of bonuses. From a first-round average of less than $50,000 in the first several years of the draft, that average has grown to a figure consistently in excess of $2 million over the last several years.
 
Following is a year-by-year breakdown of signing bonuses, and includes the average first-round signing bonus each year, the annual percentage increase/decrease, the first overall pick in the June regular phase and his cash bonus, and the player that received the next-largest bonus (if the player differs from the No. 1 pick).
 
Year Round 1 Avg % Change First Overall Pick Bonus Largest Bonus (Pick Number) Bonus
1965 $42,516 n/a  Rick Monday, of, Athletics $100,000 Alan Foster, rhp, Dodgers (28) $96,000
1966 $44,430 4.5 Steve Chilcott, c, Mets $75,000 Reggie Jackson, of, Athletics (2) $80,000
1967 $42,898 -3.4 Ron Blomberg, 1b, Yankees $75,000 #Mike Adamson, rhp, Orioles $75,000
1968 $43,850 2.2 Tim Foli, ss, Mets $74,000 Lloyd Allen, rhp, Angels (12) $75,000
1969 $43,504 -0.8 Jeff Burroughs, of, Senators $88,000 Noel Jenke, of, Red Sox (13) $85,000
1970 $45,230 3.9 Mike Ivie, c, Padres $75,000 #Dave Kingman, 1b, Giants (sec./1) $80,000
1971 $45,197 -0.1 Danny Goodwin, c, White Sox Did not sign Ed Kurpiel, 1b, Cardinals (8) $83,750
1972 $44,952 -0.5 Dave Roberts, 3b, Padres $70,000 Jamie Quirk, ss, Royals (18) $78,000
1973 $48,832 8.6 *David Clyde, lhp, Rangers $65,000 ^Alan Bannister, ss, Phillies (Jan./1) $85,000
1974 $53,333 9.2 *Bill Almon, ss, Padres $90,000 Willie Wilson, of, Royals (18) $90,000
1975 $49,333 -7.5 *Danny Goodwin, c, Angels $125,000  
1976 $49,631 0.6 Floyd Bannister, lhp, Astros $100,000 Ken Landreaux, of, Angels (6) $82,000
1977 $48,813 -1.6 Harold Baines, of, White Sox $32,000 Paul Molitor, ss, Twins (3) $77,500
1978 $67,892 39.1 *Bob Horner, 3b, Braves $162,000 Kirk Gibson, of, Tigers (12) $150,000
1979 $68,094 0.2 Al Chambers, 1b, Mariners $60,000 Todd Demeter, 1b, Yankees (51) $208,000
1980 $74,025 8.7 Darryl Strawberry, of, Mets $152,500 Jeff Pyburn, of, Padres (5) $103,500
1981 $78,573 6.1 Mike Moore, rhp, Mariners $100,000 Terry Blocker, of, Mets (4) $127,500
1982 $82,615 5.1 Shawon Dunston, ss, Cubs $135,000 Kenny Williams, of, White Sox (78) $160,000
1983 $87,236 5.6 Tim Belcher, rhp, Twins Did not sign Kurt Stillwell, ss, Reds (2) $135,000
1984 $105,392 20.8 Shawn Abner, of, Mets $150,500 Mark McGwire, 1b, Athletics (10) $145,000
1985 $118,115 12.1 B.J. Surhoff, c, Brewers $150,000 Bobby Witt, rhp, Rangers (3) $179,000
1986 $116,300 -1.6 Jeff King, 3b, Pirates $180,000 Kevin Brown, rhp, Rangers (4) $174,500
1987 $128,480 10.5 Ken Griffey Jr., of, Mariners $160,000 Mark Merchant, of, Pirates (2) $165,000
          Jack McDowell, rhp, White Sox (5) $165,000
1988 $142,540 10.9 Andy Benes, rhp, Padres $235,000 Steve Avery, lhp, Braves (3) $211,500
1989 $176,008 23.5 *Ben McDonald, rhp, Orioles $350,000 *John Olerud, 1b, Blue Jays (79) $575,000
1990 $252,577 43.5 Chipper Jones, ss, Braves $275,000 *Todd Van Poppel, rhp, A’s (14) $500,000
          Tony Clark, 1b, Tigers (2) $500,000
1991 $365,396 44.7 Brien Taylor, lhp, Yankees $1,550,000 Shawn Green, of, Blue Jays (21) $725,000
1992 $481,893 31.9 Phil Nevin, 3b, Astros $700,000 Jeffrey Hammonds, of, Orioles (4) $975,000
1993 $613,037 27.2 *Alex Rodriguez, ss, Mariners $1,000,000 Darren Dreifort, rhp, Dodgers (2) $1,300,000
1994 $790,357 28.9 Paul Wilson, rhp, Mets $1,550,000 Josh Booty, ss, Marlins (5) $1,600,000
1995 $918,019 16.1 Darin Erstad, of, Angels $1,575,000 Jaime Jones, of, Marlins (6) $1,337,000
1996 $1,794,317 95.4 Kris Benson, rhp, Pirates $2,000,000 Matt White, rhp, Giants (7) $10,200,000
1997 $1,330,536 -25.8 Matt Anderson, rhp, Tigers $2,505,000 Rick Ankiel, lhp, Cardinals (72) $2,500,000
1998 $1,637,667 23.1 *Pat Burrell, 3b, Phillies $3,150,000 Corey Patterson, of, Cubs (3) $3,700,000
1999 $1,809,767 10.5 Josh Hamilton, of, Devil Rays $3,960,000 *Josh Beckett, rhp, Marlins (2) $3,625,000
2000 $1,872,586 3.5 Adrian Gonzalez, 1b, Marlins $3,000,000 Joe Borchard, of, White Sox (12) $5,300,000
2001 $2,154,280 15.0 Joe Mauer, c, Twins $5,150,000 *Mark Teixeira, 3b, Rangers (5) $4,500,000
2002 $2,106,793 -2.2 Bryan Bullington, rhp, Pirates $4,000,000 B.J. Upton, ss, Devil Rays (2) $4,600,000
2003 $1,765,667 -16.2 *Delmon Young, of, Devil Rays $3,700,000 Rickie Weeks, 2b, Brewers (2) $3,600,000
2004 $1,958,448 10.9 Matt Bush, ss, Padres $3,150,000 Jered Weaver, rhp, Angels (12) $4,000,000
          Stephen Drew, ss, Diamondbacks (15) $4,000,000
2005 $2,018,000 3.0 Justin Upton, ss, Diamondbacks $6,100,000 Alex Gordon, 3b, Royals (2) $4,000,000
2006 $1,933,333 -4.4 *Luke Hochevar, rhp, Royals $3,500,000 Andrew Miller, lhp, Tigers (6) $3,550,000
2007 $2,098,083 8.5 *David Price, lhp, Vanderbilt $5,600,000 Matt Wieters, c, Orioles (5) $6,000,000
2008 $2,458,714 17.2 Tim Beckham, ss, Rays $6,150,000 Buster Posey, c, Giants (5) $6,200,000
2009 $2,434,800 -1.0 *Stephen Strasburg, rhp, Nationals $7,500,000 Donovan Tate, of, Padres (3) $6,250,000
2010 $2,220,966 -8.8 *Bryce Harper, c, CC Southern Nevada $6,250,000 Jameson Taillon, rhp, Pirates (2) $6,500,000

* Signed major-league contract; cash bonus only reported
# Selected in June secondary phase
^ Selected in January draft
@ Includes four loophole free agents; White signed with Devil Rays
 
NOTE: The signing bonus average for first-round picks from 1965-82 includes the value of college scholarship plans and incentive bonus plans, in addition to the cash bonus paid. From 1983-2004, the amount represents only the cash bonus paid. 

Draft | Story | 12/10/2025

PG Draft: Post-Lottery Draft Targets

Tyler Kotila
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On Tuesday night, the MLB Draft Lottery took place, and the draft order has officially been set for July. With draft slots finalized, teams can now begin narrowing in on the prospects most likely to be available when they are on the clock. From polished college players to high-upside preps, several potential targets are already emerging as ideal fits based on past draft philosophy and finalized draft position. Let’s take a look at potential targets for the six teams that were awarded a lottery pick.  1. Chicago White Sox Potential Targets:  -Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA -Grady Emerson, SS, Fort Worth Christian HS (Tex.) -Gio Rojas, LHP, Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS (Fla.) The White Sox took home the top spot at the MLB Draft Lottery, staying true to their spot, with the highest odds to earn the first-overall draft pick amongst lottery-eligible teams this year. This will only...
Tournaments | Story | 12/17/2025

15u Tourney All-American Team

Jason Phillips
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Hitter of the Year: Landon Bonner The 2028 class saw many players from across the country take the next step in their development as they entered the High School ranks. There were huge performances from highly ranked players on the PG circuit as well as some under-the-radar guys who burst onto the scene. Landon Bonner came into Sophomore National as a Top 500 ranked player and after an impressive showing, left with all eyes on him as a rankings riser in the class. The left-handed hitting shortstop from The Colony, Texas, had a summer to remember with All-Tournament Team selections in three of his next four events culminating with a historic performance at the 2025 PG 15U WWBA National Championship. The Hebron High School prep went 20-for-24 in nine games for 5 Star Mafia 15U Black with four homeruns and 12 runs batted in. He also scored 17 runs and finished with a mind-boggling 2.500...
Tournaments | Story | 12/16/2025

16u Tourney All-American Team

AJ Denny
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Hitter of the Year: Koa Romero is the Hitter of the Year for the 16u group, as he would come to every premier event of the summer and earn All-Tournament honors (Beast of the East, 16/17u WWBA, Jupiter) in every single one. Over 82 plate appearances, Romero would pump ten homeruns with forty two RBI and sixteen walks, good for a .378 average and 1.339 OPS. The performance on volume at the best events of the year pushed Romero over the edge here, as he’d hit a pair of homeruns in Jupiter (one of them at 112 EV) as an underclassmen and collect double digit hits in BOTH WWBA events with a combined six jacks over the two tournaments. It was a summer that combined performance and winning on the biggest stages for Romero. It’s a quiet left-handed swing that packs a punch. He would reap the benefits of his performances, earning a commitment to LSU and jumping to the #74 prospect in...
College | Recruiting | 12/15/2025

Recruiting Notebook: December 15

John McAdams
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Tucker Rice (27 MS) bumping up to 91; living hi-80s from real fast arm. Good SL @ 77-79 w/ depth & sold w/ intent. Loads of traits & strikes. #WWBA @PG_Uncommitted @PG_DeepSouth pic.twitter.com/DEjFqRcsIY — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 6, 2025 Tucker Rice, RHP, Class of 2027 Commitment: Alabama Alabama has continued to stay red hot in the recruiting trail ever since August 1st rolled around on the calendar and have continued to stack major pieces in their ’27 class. They dip into Mississippi to land one of the premier arms and one that’s stood out on the circuit for quite some time. It’s a fast arm and the athleticism certainly shines working down the slope. The velocity has continued to tick up over the last calendar year and reached into the low-90s towards the end of the summer. He’s confident in his changeup and the breaking ball is...
Tournaments | Story | 12/15/2025

17u Tourney All-American Team

Vincent Cervino
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There’s a lot of talent throughout this 2026 class, filled with the big-name stars, to talent that spreads across the nation. It’s been a lot of fun seeing these prospects grow and develop over the years, from the days of watching some of these guys at the 13/14u days at events on the circuit, to now where they are all graduating seniors in 2026. There’s been new faces who have popped along the way over the years, even in 2026, where some players who were relatively undiscovered, have come out and made a name for themselves with a statement performance. Between the familiar and the new, there’s a lot of names on this list that are going to be quite regularly talked about on the circuit, and for good reason.  Whether it’s PG All-Americans or not, there’s a lot of names with superstar potential at the next level. We’ve got 14 PG All-Americans...
Tournaments | Story | 12/13/2025

Finest in the Field: Class of 2029

Tyler Russo
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Finest in the Field: Class of 2026 | Class of 2027 | Class of 2028 These guys might just be entering high school, but they've certainly already made a name for themselves on the national circuit, especially with their abilities on the defensive side of things.  C: Xavier Rodriguez (Logansville, GA) Rodriguez is a polished defender with real arm strength behind the dish, while showcasing the ability to impact the baseball with authority to all fields evident by thirty of his sixty-five hits going for extra-bases including seven bombs. He handles high-level pitching extremely well, commands his staff and his offensive prowess makes him a true two-way asset. 1B: Cooper Knight (Buda, TX) Knight is a smooth operator at first base with plenty of range, fluidity and agility in his footwork around the bag. Add-in a rocket for an arm, the ability to change slots and to...
Tournaments | Story | 12/12/2025

Scout Stories: Part 5

AJ Denny
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Best Game I Saw: The Dream NTL 18U vs. MBA Scout Team Murphy Jupiter always brings out the best, and we got fireworks from the jump. Turner Marshall gave The Dream an outstanding 4+ innings of work on the mound, holding a lethal MBA team at bay with Chance Dixon, Derrick Carter, and Ellis Appling providing an offensive spark out of the gate for the Georgia based boys. However, it was only a matter of time before the talent on the other side got going, as MBA erased a 3-run deficit in the 5th to take a 4-3 lead led by a Parker Loew HR. The Dream then took command again in the Top of the 6th, before MBA punched right back with a huge 5-run inning in the bottom half capped off by a clutch RBI single from Matthew Kerrigan, ending a wild sequence with tons of notable performances from two very competitive rosters. Best Tournament Performance I Saw: Surely someone has already brought this...
College | Story | 12/12/2025

College Notebook: December 12

Craig Cozart
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Nebraska Cornhuskers 2025 Highlights: The Cornhuskers were a difficult team to figure in ’25 as they finished with 33 wins, played just .500 (15-15) in the Big Ten but had some big wins at various times during the season and got hot at the right time. They knocked off then #16 Vanderbilt in the second game of the year, beat #5 Oregon State 2-out-of-3 at home in late March and then got hot at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha to win the Big Ten Tournament. They beat Michigan State in a 10-inning thriller before taking care of #4 Oregon, knocking off Penn State and then shutout #13 UCLA to punch their ticket to the Chapel Hill Regional. Head coach Will Bolt has now led his alma mater to three conference titles and three NCAA Regional appearances during his six years in Lincoln. No different than when he was a player, Bolt’s teams play with passion and toughness, this was never more...
Tournaments | Story | 12/12/2025

Finest in the Field: Class of 2028

Troy Sutherland
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Finest in the Field: Class of 2026 | Class of 2027 You like athletes? You like defenders who can impact a game at any given point? Look not further than this class as it's loaded from coast-to-coast with elite defenders all over the diamond.  C: Brogan Witcher, Bakersfield, CA Our scouting staff got several strong looks at Witcher whether that was at the Summer Kickoff, Sophomore National or the Underclass All American Games where he showcased his strong overall skillset and especially his advanced ability behind the plate. His 6-foot-3,180 pound build looks like one that will fill in quite nicely and be that big and physical catcher’s frame. His arm talent is undeniable where he gets it out quick and runs it up to 79 mph on throwdowns to 2nd (1.84 pop). Besides the standout catch/throw ability, we’ve seen him frame/receive strong arms and block it well during...
Softball | Softball Tournament | 12/11/2025

PG Softball "Toys 4 Tots" Fundraiser 18U division

Dave Durbala
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BURLINGTON, IA - 2025 Perfect Game Softball Toys 4 Tots Fundraiser One Day, December 7, 2025. Kicking off the holiday season, six teams participated in this one day, 3 game guarantee tournament in the 18u Division. We would like to thank those that donated a toy, and know that they will be distributed to area underprivileged children through a local charity organization. Following are some of the top performers from the weekend. Earning Tournament MV-Pitcher was Jolee Strohmeyer (2026 Dubuque, IA), a RHP/UTIL with tournament champion Lady Expos Blue. Strohmeyer shows hitters a consistent and repeatable motion and delivery with good use of the legs in the drive phase, and a quick and aggressive arm whip. Working with a six pitch mix of fastball, change-up, rise, drop, curve and screw, Strohmeyer topped out at 60 mph, and showed good movement  as she worked her rise and curve just out...
Tournaments | Story | 12/11/2025

Scout Stories: Part 4

Tyler Henninger
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Scout Notes: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 Best Game I Saw: Hudson Reed (‘26, GA) torches this ball to deep CF for a solo 💣. Generates easy power that plays to the big part of the yard. Middle of the order traits #UBCWest @PG_Georgia @PG_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/UXqDVFmUBx — Perfect Game California (@California_PG) June 18, 2025 I was fortunate enough to see a lot of highly competitive games with loads of talent on the field, the game that sticks out to me the most was Alpha Prime 2026 vs. ZT National Prospects at the UBC West. The game was an efficiently played affair with arms dominating on both sides. Graham Schlicht was masterful for Alpha, striking out 12 hitters over 5 dominant innings. PG All-American Julian Cazares came out of the pen blowing smoke, touching 97 mph with the fastball. On the other side, Jake Carbaugh surrendered just one hit and...
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