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Pitcher Signs for Pennies on the Dollar
18 Jul
Summary
- Pitcher Mario Pesca signed a $50,000 deal with the Cleveland Guardians.
- Pesca's contract was significantly below the draft's slot value of $205,800.
- He was selected in the ninth round of the MLB draft and assigned to the Arizona Complex League affiliate.
Oklahoma State pitcher Mario Pesca is beginning his professional baseball career with the Cleveland Guardians, having signed a contract for $50,000. This amount is substantially less than the $205,800 slot value associated with his ninth-round selection in the recent MLB draft. Pesca, who has no remaining eligibility at Oklahoma State, was assigned to the Guardians' Arizona Complex League affiliate.
This below-slot signing strategy is common in MLB, allowing teams to save money on some picks to potentially offer more to others. Pesca's stats over two years with Oklahoma State include a 13-7 record, a 4.89 ERA, 133 strikeouts, and 47 walks in 127 innings pitched. He will begin his pro journey facing younger competition in the Arizona Complex League.
Pesca is one of five Oklahoma State players drafted this year. However, he is the only one to have signed a deal thus far. Other notable selections include Kollin Ritchie, who opted to return to OSU, and Alex Conover, Hudson Barrett, and Avery Ortiz, who have until July 27 to sign contracts.
