The Mariners have signed their top pick in last week’s draft, University of Kentucky 1B/OF Evan White, and also agreed to terms with 26 of their 40 selections. The newly signed players are scheduled to report to Peoria, AZ., Sunday afternoon for a mini-camp prior to be assigned to teams.
The 26 signings include 11 of the top 12 selections and 13 of the top 20.
All MLB clubs have until July 7 to sign drafted players with remaining college eligibility.
White, 21, is a USA Baseball Golden Spikes Award semifinalist and was named second-team All-SEC and All-SEC Defensive Team at first base. During his junior season, he hit .373 with 48 runs, 24 doubles, one triple and 10 home runs with 41 RBIs and a .453 on-base percentage.
The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder spent last summer as a member of USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team where he started 15 of the team’s 19 games, primarily at first base with spot starts in the outfield.
White will travel to Seattle for an appearance at Safeco Field after the Peoria camp and prior to joining the Everett AquaSox.
The following are the Mariners’ top 20 draft picks (bold italics with asterisk indicates signed player):
