The Cardinals announced Friday that they have signed 2016 first-round pick Delvin Perez, a shortstop out of the International Baseball Academy in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. St. Louis selected the 17-year-old 23rd overall.
MLBPipeline.com's Jim Callis reported that according to a source, Perez will receive the full slot value of $2,222,500. The club has not confirmed the value of the deal.
Perez's draft stock had been higher before he tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance in May. He was passed over by 22 teams as a result, but after vetting the situation the Cardinals decided to select him.
• Cardinals' 2016 Draft picks
Perez stands at 6-foot-2 and 180 pounds. He had drawn comparisons to the Astros' Carlos Correa, though he isn't as polished as Correa was when drafted No. 1 overall in 2012. Perez's bat speed, as well as his range and arm strength, defensively made him an attractive prospect. He was ranked ninth on MLB.com's Top 200 Draft prospect list.
Players who test positive for PEDs prior to being drafted are not subject to suspension upon signing with a team, but they are required to take additional follow-up tests as professionals. The top 200 Draft prospects, as determined by the Major League Baseball Scouting Bureau, are subject to drug testing prior to the Draft and are not eligible to be selected if they decline to be tested
The Cardinals have now signed 23 of their 42 Draft selections, including eight of the 12 players they chose in the first 10 rounds. Those players include outfielder Dylan Carlson (first round, 33rd overall out of Elk Grove High School in Elk Grove, Calif.), catcher Jeremy Martinez (fourth round, 136th overall out of the University of Southern California) and outfielder Walker Robbins (fifth round, 166th overall out of George County High School in Leakesville, Miss.).
• 2016 Draft signing and bonus tracker
Also signed Friday were four undrafted free agents, all pitchers: right-hander Levi MaVorhies out of Kansas State University, right-hander Keaton Siomkin out of the University of California, left-hander Colton Thomson out of the University of New Mexico and left-hander Ross Vance out of West Virginia University.