The scouting community believed Cole Wilcox was a first-round talent. The Padres sure paid him like one.
The Georgia right-hander signed Tuesday for $3.3 million, the Union-Tribune confirmed, breaking the third-round record the Padres set last year.
MLB.com first reported that a deal was reached with Wilcox, completing the Padres’ 2020 draft class.
Wilcox’s signing bonus — besting the $3 million prep outfielder Hudson Head received last year — was comparable to the recommendation for the 20th overall pick.
The 6-foot-5, 232-pound pitcher was ranked No. 23 in MLB.com’s draft prospect rankings and No.