The Detroit Tigers signed first overall draft selection Spencer Torkelson for a record signing bonuse of $8,416,300, breaking the previous record of $8,100,000 that the Baltimore Orioles gave last year’s first overall pick, Adley Rutschmann. Torkelson becomes the first No 1 overall pick to sign for above slot value, which was just $1,000 less.
The signing completes the contract work for the Tigers, who have inked all six of their draft selections for a total of $13,968,600 in signing bonuses. The previous record bonus given by the Tigers was $7.5 million which was paid to pitcher Casey Mize, the first overall selection two years ago.