TORONTO -- The Indians have worked quickly to get their top Draft picks to sign on the dotted line.
On Friday, Cleveland officially signed high school infielder Nolan Jones, who was selected by the Indians in the second round (No. 55 overall) in last month's MLB Draft. MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo confirmed that Jones signed for a signing bonus of $2.25 million.
"He's a very good hitter," Brad Grant, the Indians' director of amateur scouting, said after the Draft. "He's a guy who we feel is going to hit with power as well in the future. He has a plus arm -- solid fielder. He's another guy with really good makeup as well. He's a guy that we spent a whole lot of time with."
Jones, 18, signed for nearly double the slot value ($1,159,200) for the 55th pick. Cleveland's first-round pick, prep outfielder Will Benson, signed with the Indians last month for $2.5 million. The Tribe has now reached deals with all 11 of its picks in the first 10 rounds, and with 24 of its 41 draftees overall.
The 6-foot-3 Jones is a product of Holy Ghost Prep (Bensalem, Pa.), where he hit .636 with five homers, 24 RBIs and 26 runs scored in 19 games in his senior season. The left-handed-swinging infielder -- projected as a third baseman -- struck out only three times and drew 24 walks in 72 plate appearances.
Entering the Draft, MLBPipeline.com ranked Jones as the 20th-best prospect eligible for selection. He was named a 2016 Rawlings Perfect Game First Team All-American, and helped his high school win a state title in 2015 and reach the semifinals in '16.