The Pittsburgh Pirates have reportedly agreed to terms with its first-round selection Kevin Newman.
Chris Cotillo, of MLB Daily Dish, who first reported the deal, cited that the deal was signed to a deal close to slot value. The estimated slot value was close to $2.3 million.
Newman was named a Pac-12 selection after hitting .370 in 2015. During the season he had 19 doubles, two home runs, 36 RBI and 22 stolen bases. Newman also was named to the 2015 USA Baseball Golden Spikes Watch List.
Additionally, Newman started all 165 games in his career at Arizona.
“Pittsburgh called two picks before they called,” Newman said to John Maffei of the San Diego Union-Tribune. “We agreed on things, so I played stupid until they called my name. It was a great moment.”
He attended school at Arizona University and was the 16th Wildcat to be selected in the first round. He also was the highest Wildcat to be drafted since Trevor Crowe was selected 14th.
“Landed in Pittsburgh baby,” Newman tweeted early Sunday evening. “Couldn’t be more excited to get things rolling.”
He later tweeted a picture of his view from Downtown Pittsburgh and the lightning that occurred Sunday night.
Newman also told Maffei that he had expected things would be done quickly and if the report is confirmed it would be six days in between his selection and his signing.
Newman’s signing makes him the fifth first-round draft pick to sign. He also would be the fourth Pirates selection to be signed as the team already agreed to terms with sixth-round selection J.T. Brubaker, eighth-round choice, Seth McGarry and ninth-round selection Bret Helton. There are also reports that third-round choice Casey Hughston had agreed to terms however the Pirates have not yet confirmed this.
