Braves agree to deal with Fulenchek
Second-round pick reportedly signs above slot, gets eight semesters of tuition
ATLANTA -- The Braves have reached an agreement with Garrett Fulenchek, a right-handed pitcher taken in the second round of the First-Year Player Draft.
MLB.com's Jim Callis tweeted Saturday morning that Fulenchek will sign above slot for $1 million and receive eight semesters of college tuition at Dallas Baptist University under the college scholarship plan. As the Draft's 66th overall selection, the 18-year-old pitcher was slotted for an $866,000 signing bonus. The Braves have not confirmed the deal.
Fulenchek is expected to sign his deal on Tuesday and report to the Braves' Spring Training complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., on Thursday.
The Braves believe Fulenchek's projectable 6-foot-4, 205-pound frame will allow him to add velocity as he goes through the early portion of his professional career. His fastball has sat between 90-94 mph and his slider improved as spent the past few months completing his career at Texas' Howe High School.
"He just kept getting better this year," director of scouting Tony DeMacio said. "He's got a real projectable body and a lot of life on his fastball. Everything that he throws moves."