Rox agree with 1st-rounder Veen, 2 other picks

June 24th, 2020

DENVER -- Port Orange (Fla.) Spruce Creek High School outfielder Zac Veen, the Rockies' first-round pick in this year's Draft, has agreed to an above-slot signing bonus of $5 million.

Veen, 18, selected ninth overall, was the top high school player and the No. 7 overall prospect on the MLB.com Top 200 list. The assigned slot value of the No. 9 selection in this year's Draft was $4,949,100.

On Wednesday, the Rockies officially announced agreements with Veen, third-round pick Sam Weatherly, a left-handed pitcher from Clemson, and fifth-round pick Jack Blomgren, a shortstop from Michigan. The Rockies did not announce or confirm financial terms, but MLB.com's Jim Callis reported that Weatherly's agreement is worth $775,300 and Blomgren agreed at $394,300. Both of those agreements were at full value for their slots, 81st and 140th overall.

At 6-foot-4 and with a frame that's constantly gaining muscle and is currently around 205 pounds, Veen has a swing that creates leverage and has folks dreaming of Cody Bellinger/Christian Yelich power. Considered a "solid average" runner, Veen played center field in high school, but he profiles just as well in left and right field. The Rockies' policy with players of Veen's athletic ability is to train them at all three outfield spots.

The Rockies have now reached terms with four of their six picks -- Veen, Weatherly, Blomgren and fourth-rounder Case Williams, a right-handed pitcher and local product from Douglas County High School, who signed for $450,000. The club also has one known agreement with an undrafted free agent, switch-hitting local catcher Luke Leisenring of the University of South Carolina Aiken and Ralston Valley High School.

As of Wednesday afternoon, the Rockies had not come to terms with catcher Drew Romo, selected 35th overall out of The Woodlands (Texas) High School, and right-handed pitcher Chris McMahon, selected in the second round from the University of Miami.