The Los Angeles Dodgers have announced the signing of multiple picks from the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft, headlined by catcher Will Smith, who was taken No. 32 overall out of Louisville.
Also signed are, right-handed pitcher Joel Toribio, a 34th-rounder out of Western Oklahoma State College; fifth-round left-handed pitcher Devin Smeltzer out of San Jacinto College-North; 11th-rounder A.J. Alexy, a right-handed pitcher out of Twin Valley High School; 34th-rounder Joel Toribio, a right-handed pitcher out of Western Oklahoma State College; and 35th-rounder Nick Yarnall, a first baseman out of University of Pittsburgh.
Los Angeles has now confirmed the signing of 25 of its 42 selections, including 10 of their top 12 picks from the 2016 Draft. Smith’s signing bonus was a reported $1,775,000, which falls below the $1,940,700 slot value.
The Dodgers selecting the catcher was made possible by the compensation pick they received for Zack Greinke rejecting their qualifying offer and signing with the Arizona Diamondbacks during the offseason.
Smith is the first catcher Los Angeles drafted in the first round since since Paul Konerko (1994). Konekro of course burst onto the scene in the Majors as a first baseman. As a junior this season, Smith hit .380/.476/.573 (57-for-150) with eight doubles, seven home runs and 43 RBIs in 53 games.
He was named third-team All-ACC, while leading the Cardinals to the 2016 NCAA Super Regional. Dodgers scouting director Billy Gasparino lauded Smith for his athleticism and strong arm.
Smeltzer was previously committed to carry on with his collegiate career at Texas Tech. He reportedly signed for $500,00 which is over the slot value of $331,000 for the No. 161 pick. Alexy begins his professional career over attending Radford University.
Meanwhile, the 6’6 Toribio sported a 5.73 ERA in 15 appearances (37.2) innings in 2016, with 55 strikeouts. Yarnall was a third-team All-ACC selection this year, batting .309 with seven doubles and a team-high 11 home runs. He finished second on the team with a .556 slugging percentage.
A complete list of the Dodgers’ previously announced signings can be viewed here.
