Cincinnati.com · Jul 27, 2021
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. His agent, Scott Boras, and Reds general manager Nick Krall were in the room via conference call.