CLEVELAND -- The Rays and their third 2016 Draft pick (77th overall), Jake Fraley, have agreed on an $800,000 deal. The LSU outfielder is expected to sign this week, according to MLB.com insider Jim Callis.
The club has not confirmed the deal.
Fraley, 21, is a 6-foot, 185-pound center fielder and is regarded as the Tigers' offensive catalyst. Rays scouting director Rob Metzler called Fraley "another athletic left-handed-hitting center fielder."
"He has very good contact skills, good bat," Metzler said. "Good defensive player. Good outcome for us. And we're excited for all three [picks on Thursday]."
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Fraley is well suited to bat atop a lineup, as he has a patient contact-oriented approach and the plus speed and know-how to steal bases. His flat left-handed swing doesn't yield much power, but his on-base skills rank among the best in college baseball. Fraley has performed well during two summers in the Cape Cod League.
Though he hadn't played much center field for LSU before this spring, Fraley's speed and instincts make him at least a solid defender there. His arm strength is below average, but it isn't considered a liability.