McCullers, Astros on verge of $2.5 million deal

Posted Jun 17, 2012 by TBO Staff

Updated Jun 17, 2012 at 06:31 PM

Baseball America and other national baseball media outlets are reporting former Jesuit High pitcher Lance McCullers, Jr. has agreed to a deal with the Houston Astros worth $2.5 million and will forgo his scholarship to the University of Florida.

McCullers, a right-handed pitcher taken 41st overall in the supplemental portion of the first round, flew to Houston on Sunday and is scheduled to take a physical with the club Monday morning.

The contract is about $1.24 million more than Major League Baseball’s recommended slot signing bonus for McCullers. The Astros were reportedly able to come up with extra signing bonus money for McCullers because of the club made significant savings on first-overall draft pick Carlos Correa, a shortstop from Puerto Rico Baseball Academy. Correa reportedly signed for $4.8 million and the recommended slot for that selection is $7.4 million.

Essentially, McCullers landed a bonus as if he were taken 12th or 13th in the draft. Even with all its signings, the Astros still have about $1.3 million remaining to spend in their draft pool.

Neither McCullers or his father, former MLB pitcher Lance McCullers, Sr., could be immediately reached for comment.