The Philadelphia Phillies and first-round draft pick Shane Watson have agreed to a signing bonus of $1,291,300 according to Jim Callis of Baseball America. The signing bonus the two parties agreed to is exactly the MLB recommended slot signing bonus for the 40th overall pick, the slot Watson was drafted at.
Callis adds Watson, a California High School right-handed pitcher, can touch 96 MPH and possesses a plus curve in his arsenal. ESPN's Keith Law evaluates Watson's curve as "one of the better curveballs in the class" but also says "there's some stiffness to him that reminded me a little of Joe Blanton."
The Phillies will now focus their attention in signing other top draft picks, such as first-round draft pick Mitch Gueller, the 54th overall draft pick. Like Watson, Gueller is a high school pitcher with a quite a bit of upside as well whose ceiling could be as a middle of the rotation starting pitcher.