The Mariners Tuesday announced they had signed catcher Mike Zunino, the No. 3 overall selection in the 2012 June draft. Zunino, 21, made consensus first-team All-America, won the Dick Howser Trophy and was Baseball Americas College Player of the Year during his junior season at the University of Florida. He is one of three finalists for the Golden Spikes Award that will be presented Friday.
According to sources, Zunino will receive a $4 million signing bonus.
As a junior this past season, Zunion won the Gators Triple Crown, leading the team in batting average (.322), RBIs (67) and home runs (19). He helped lead Florida to its third consecutive trip to the College World Series with a 47-20 record.
Mike is a sturdy, blue-collar, talented defensive receiver with extra-base offensive potential, said Tom McNamara, the Mariners director of scouting. He is a winning player, and will be a good fit with the Mariners. We are excited to have him join our organization and working his way towards being part of our major league club in the future.
Zunino hit .327 (224×685) with 58 doubles, 47 home runs and 175 RBI in 193 career games at Florida. The Gators advanced to the College World Series in each of his three seasons. In addition to being named a two-time All-SEC Selection and All-SEC Defensive Team, Zunino was also a Freshman All-American in 2010.
Zunino graduated from Mariner High School in Coral Gables, FL. He was selected first team All-State in Class 5A his senior year after hitting .464 with 43 hits, 37 RBIs, 12 home runs and 9 doubles. Zunino was drafted by Oakland in the 30th round of the 2009 June Draft, but elected to attend Florida.
The Mariners have signed 32 of the 41 players they selected in 2012 draft. Seattle has until Friday, July 13 at 2 p.m. (PT) to sign the remaining players.