SF Giants agree to underslot signing bonus with top pick

The SF Giants were able to check an important box off on Wednesday as they were able to sign their top pick from this year's draft. According to Jim Callis of MLB.Com, Florida State University outfielder James Tibbs III agreed to a $4.7 million signing bonus.

SF Giants agree to underslot signing bonus with top pick

Tibbs III was selected by San Francisco with the No. 13 pick. The slot value for that pick was $5.2 million, so this created $524,8000 in slot savings.

The Giants have now signed six of their first eight picks as well as a handful of their Day 3 selections. The two exceptions among the first 10 rounds are Dakota Jordan and Jakob Christian. Jordan and Christian were selected in the fourth round and fifth round, respectively.

The expectation is that Jordan signs for a deal well above his $624,800 slot value. The outfield prospect was considered one of the better players in this year's draft but slid due to signability concerns as well as how his bat will adjust to pro pitching.

Factoring in the five percent overage, the Giants have built up a cushion of $1.3 million that they can use on Jordan, Christian, and any of their remaining Day 3 picks.

For the time being, the attention turns to Tibbs III. He becomes the first Giants pick since Buster Posey in 2008 to be drafted in the first round out of Florida State University.

Tibbs III just completed a strong third year at Florida State University where he registered a .363/.488/.777 line with 28 home runs, 95 RBI, and 75 runs in 320 plate appearances. He also walked more times (58) than he struck out (37).

The left-handed bat also excelled in the Cape Cod League last summer, posting an .862 OPS with six home runs and 25 RBI in 164 plate appearances. Given his success in the Cape Cod League as well as playing against ACC competition in college, he is considered one of the more polished bats in this year's draft.

Tibbs III has an above-average hit tool with a swing that is designed for both power and average. He has a good understanding and rarely chases out of the strike zone. The 21-year-old does damage against fastballs, especially in the lower part of the zone, but has struggled more against offspeed pitches.

The top Giants pick now begins his career with San Francisco. The organization hopes that Tibbs III can move relatively quickly through the lower minors and become an everyday outfielder in the near future.