The Yankees 11th round pick in this years MLB draft Josh Rogers, has agreed to sign with the team after it was thought he would return to the University of Louisville for his junior season. The star pitcher accepted the Yankees proposition after the team bumped up their contract offer to the left hander. The deal is expected to include a bonus in the range of what a fourth round pick would normally receive.
A player selected in the fourth round has a bonus slot value in the ballpark of $485,000. The offer to Rogers is around the maximum amount the team could sign an 11th round selection for.
11th-rder Josh Rogers, @Yankees agree on deal for early 4th-rd money. Louisville soph LHP, three P for strikes, FB to 92. @MLBDraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 12, 2015
The University of Louisville product pitched to an 8-1 record with a 3.36 ERA in 92 2/3 innings thrown in his sophomore season. During his freshman year, Rogers gained attention by pitching to a victory over the Kentucky Wildcats in the postseason while going 3-3 with a 3.63 ERA. With that performance, he was given a full time spot in the Cardinals rotation his sophomore season, and did not disappoint.
He became eligible for this years draft due to turning 21 before the MLB draft signing deadline, giving him the opportunity to be drafted instead of waiting after his junior year to see if he would be selected.
Rogers gave the Yankees reason to up their offer after his stellar sophomore campaign, and the Bronx Bombers were willing to pay extra for a pitcher they wanted to give a chance to make it to the Bigs. Every Major League team can never have too many arms in its organization, and this signing will help add more depth and talent to the Yankees group of young pitchers.
The signing deadline for amateur draft picks from the 2015 draft is Wednesday, July 17th.
