Giants sign top 7 draft picks

KEIZER, Ore. -- Just two weeks after the 2017 MLB Draft on June 12th, the Giants have now signed 27 of their 40 selections, including their top seven selections. The only top 10 selection that remains unsigned is Cal State Fullerton lefthander John Gavin, who has been in Omaha competing for a College World Series title before his Titans were eliminated on Monday.
 
The Giants first selection, 17-year old Puerto Rican outfielder Heliot Ramos out of Leadership Christian Academy, signed exactly at slot value for $3,101,700. Ramos stands at 6'2", 185 lbs, and at just 17 years old, he is still growing. According to Ramos' Perfect Game profile, the Puerto Rican outfielder already possesses "very good bat speed and strength in his swing" and has "big power potential." Ramos ran a 6.55 second 60 yard dash, which could also make him a very valuable defensive asset at spacious AT&T Park in the future. Giants vice president for scouting and international operations spoke to Ramos' pure athleticism. "We do think that he is a five tool player, (and) we think he can stay in center field."
 
With the Giants second round pick, they selected Jacob Gonzalez, who is the son of former Diamondbacks All-Star Luis Gonzalez. A Chaparral High School product, Jacob Gonzalez was committed to play baseball at powerhouse Texas Christian University, but instead took the $1.1 million signing bonus he was offered by the Giants. Gonzalez has "lots of power potential" according to his Perfect Game profile, but "improving arm strength will be the key to his development."
 
Perhaps the most notable negotiation in this Giants' draft class happened with third rounder Seth Corry who signed for $1 million, which was $450,000 over his slot value. Corry, an 18 year old lefthander out of Lone Peak High School, was prepared to go BYU if he could not agree to a deal with the Giants. The southpaw has received rave reviews from major league scouts for his long and loose arm action that creates arm side run on his low 90s fastball.
 
The Giants decision to draft high school bats with two of their first three picks is a marked departure from their draft philosophy in recent years. In the previous three drafts, the Giants have not selected a high school position player with their first three picks. In fact, you have to go back to 2013 to find the last time the Giants drafted a high school bat with one of their first three picks when they selected current top prospect Christian Arroyo with their first round pick.
 
While the Giants are still in negotiations with their remaining thirteen picks, the Volcanoes are eager for all the deals to be finalized so they can see which of this new talented crop of youngsters will end up in Salem-Keizer this Summer.