Rockies sign No. 3 overall pick Rodgers

DENVER -- The wait is over. Brendan Rodgers' first professional contract is now finalized.

• Cast your Esurance All-Star ballot for #ASGWorthy players

The No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft inked with the Rockies on Wednesday, becoming the first of Colorado's top-5 round selections to sign. The shortstop's pick value is slotted at $6,223,300, and he received the highest signing bonus in franchise history at $5.5 million.

It's done: @Rockies sign No. 3 pick Brendan Rodgers. Bonus= $5.5 mil. Pick value = $6,223,300. Will debut soon w/@GJRockies @MLBDraft

- Jonathan Mayo (@JonathanMayo) June 17, 2015

"There were nerves and anxiety to just get out there and play," Rodgers said on Wednesday. "But I'm very excited to start playing."

Rodgers' journey is just beginning, but MLB.com's No. 1 draft prospect already has a long-term road map to the Major Leagues. Rodgers turns 19 on Aug. 9, and he said he wants to be with the Rockies by the time he's 21.

• Rodgers' letter to Rockies fans

His first stop, however, will be with Grand Junction -- the Rockies' Rookie level affiliate. Rodgers will fly out on Thursday to meet up with the team in Idaho, and he expects to start playing sometime during Grand Junction's next homestand (June 22-29).

"The last time I saw live pitching was April 20," Rodgers said. "My high school season ended pretty early, so I need to get my timing back. I haven't seen live pitching in such a long time, and I need to get my feet back under me."

• Draft signing and bonus tracker

According to the Draft tracker, the Rockies have signed four other picks from the top 10 rounds of the Draft -- fifth-rounder Parker French, a right-handed pitcher from Texas ($100,000), seventh-rounder Brian Mundell, a first baseman from Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo ($185,000), eighth-rounder Colin Welmon, a right-handed pitcher from Loyola Marymount ($30,000), and 10th rounder Cole Anderson, a center fielder from Fort Collins (Colo.) Rocky Mountain High School ($150,000).

Shortly after signing on Wednesday, Rodgers mingled with current players in the Colorado clubhouse, even chatting with current shortstop Troy Tulowitzki inside the Rockies' video room. He eventually made his way out onto Coors Field, where he watched batting practice from behind the cage.

Now, it's time to get to work.

"It's what I wanted to do since I was six, seven years old," Rodgers said. "The time's finally come."