Guardians Baseball Insider

On Friday, July 3rd, the Cleveland Indians announced the signings of a pair of additional selections from the 2020 MLB Draft. 

Third-round draft pick Petey Halpin an outfielder from Mira Costa High School in California reportedly signed with the club for $1,525,000. Cleveland went roughly $914,000 over slot to get a deal done. Halpin, 18, is a young for class centerfielder with a quality approach at the plate and average to above-average power potential. Defensively, the young outfielder displays a strong arm suitable for play in rightfield or center and a solid glove in the outfield. The former Texas Longhorns commit displays above-average speed in the grass and on the base paths.

The club came to terms with Milan Tolentino a shortstop from Santa Margarita High School in California. The fourth round selection (124th overall) reportedly received a signing bonus of $800,000. To get a deal done with young middle infielder from California the Tribe went $340,000 over slot ($460,000). Tolentino is the younger brother of former Indians farmhand Patric Tolentino and the son of former big leaguer and Angels Spanish announcer Jose Tolentino. The California native is a highly advanced defender with a high caliber arm. Offensively, the bat lags behind the glove and arm, but displayed improved strength and an improved ability to drive the ball.

According to Cleveland.com’s Paul Hoynes, the club is closing in on a deal with their lone remaining unsigned draft pick righthanded starting pitcher Tanner Burns. The Auburn University product was drafted 36th overall in Competitive Balance Round A. Burns, 21, sits in the low-to-mid 90’s with an above-average slider with projection to plus with further development and an average changeup. The former Tigers righty has above-average control and displays advanced pitchability.

Overall, the club has signed five of their six draft choices and four non-drafted free agents. With Burns the remaining unsigned draft choice the Indians have the flexibility to spend over slot to get a deal done. The Indians entered the 2020 MLB Draft with the fourteenth largest pool allotment at $7,662,800 with five signings in place totalling $5,790,000. If Tanner Burns receives the full slot for the 36th overall selection ($2,045,400) the Indians will exceed their draft pool allotment for the eighth consecutive year (2013-2020) incurring a cash penalty.