Giants ink first-round pick Bickford

SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco Giants signed Phil Bickford, their top pick in the 2015 MLB Draft, the team announced Saturday.

The 18th overall selection in the Draft, Bickford went 9-1 with a 1.45 ERA this season at the College of Southern Nevada. He struck out 166 batters and walked 21 in 86 2/3 innings.

The right-hander racked up 10 or more strikeouts in half of his starts this year.

Bickford received the Russ Ford Award as the most outstanding relief pitcher in the Cape Cod League and the Robert A. McNeese Award for the league's top prospect.

The 19-year-old allowed two runs in 27 2/3 innings while striking out 44 batters in the Cape Cod League last summer.