The Rockies are showing their first-round pick historic big bucks.
Colorado is expected to sign No. 3 overall pick Charlie Condon for a $9.25 million bonus sometime in the next few days, according to club sources. That agreement for the Georgia slugger would tie the MLB record for a draft signing bonus with this year’s No. 2 overall pick, Wake Forest right-hander Chase Burns, who officially signed with the Reds on Thursday.
The slot value of Condon’s pick is $9.07 million. This year’s No. 1 overall pick, Oregon State second baseman Travis Bazzana, agreed to an $8.95 million bonus with Cleveland earlier this week, according to MLB.com. The previous record for a signing bonus was when right-hander Paul Skenes, last year’s No. 1 overall pick, signed with the Pirates for $9.2 million.
Condon is projected to be an impact bat at Coors Field after a prolific run at Georgia in which he emerged as the country’s top hitter in 2024. This year, he became just the third player in NCAA history to lead the nation in both batting average (.433) and homers (a BBCOR-era record 37), while also ranking No. 1 in slugging (1.009) and OPS (1.565).
For his efforts, Condon swept a trio of top national honors in the Golden Spikes Award, the Dick Howser Trophy and the Bobby Bragan National Collegiate Slugger Award.
In addition to a high offensive ceiling as a right-handed power hitter, the 6-foot-6 Condon also brings defensive versatility. In 2024, he made 24 starts across all three outfield positions in addition to seeing time at third base (36 starts) and first base (10).
“There was a feeling that Condon wouldn’t get to us, so when he was there (at No. 3), I wasn’t there (in the draft room in Scottsdale), but I can only imagine there was some degree of jubilation,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. “Our scouting guys really liked him. It’s a real bat.”
Black said Condon will likely report to the team’s facility at Salt River Fields this weekend, along with other draft picks by the club, and then from there Condon will probably begin his minor league career with either Low-A Fresno or High-A Spokane.
“That’s a lot of glue,” Black said of Condon’s record signing bonus. “It’s not surprising (he’d get that bonus).”
Want more Rockies news? Sign up for the Rockies Insider to get all our MLB analysis.
Originally Published: July 19, 2024 at 5:01 p.m.
