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Cincinnati Reds sign 'a guy we really wanted,' first-round pick Matt McLain

CHICAGO – When Matt McLain was drafted in the first round by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2018 MLB Draft, he turned down a $2.6 million signing bonus and chose to play the next three seasons at UCLA.

The bet on himself paid off.

McLain received a $4.625 million signing bonus, according to MLB.com, when he officially became a member of the Cincinnati Reds on Monday. McLain was the No. 17 overall pick in this month’s draft, though he was considered a candidate to be taken in the top-10.

He signed his contract Monday with his parents and Reds scouting director Brad Meador next to him.