St. Louis Cardinals sign first round draft pick Michael McGreevy

The St. Louis Cardinals are wasting no time after this year’s draft, inking their first pick to an under-slot deal to join the organization.

When the St. Louis Cardinals selected Michael McGreevy, a right-handed pitcher out of UCSB, the organization immediately gushed with excitement about the pick. They believe he can be a long-term stalwart in the rotation and, if all goes well, a solid No. 2 alongside Jack Flaherty.

And it did not take long for the Cardinals to sign McGreevy, as the two sides agreed to terms on a $2.75 million bonus, according to Jim Callis of MLB.com. The slot for the No. 18 overall pick was $3,481,300.

That the deal with McGreevy was underslot means that the Cardinals can spread out more money to other draft picks. There should be another high draft pick signing coming Monday for the Cardinals, which is expected to be overslot, so the team is already putting that savings to good use.

More from St Louis Cardinals Draft

• 4 predictions for St. Louis Cardinals in 2022 MLB Draft
• An interview with new St. Louis Cardinal Thomas Francisco
• Evaluating St. Louis Cardinals first-rounder Michael McGreevy
• St. Louis Cardinals: Cardinals take control artist McGreevy 18th
• Where could the St. Louis Cardinals go with their first pick?

But McGreevy, who will start toward the bottom of the Cardinals’ minor-league system, should work his way through the minors relatively quickly. He heavily relies on a low-90s sinker, a pitch some scouts think could continue to gain velocity, and a decent slider. But his calling card is his control, with his K/BB and BB/9 ranking second in his NCAA division.

“He almost has a phobia of walking batters,” said Cardinals assistant general manager and director of scouting Randy Flores, via Katie Woo of The Athletic.

There was never any doubt as to whether McGreevy would sign. It’s likely both he and the player had an understanding of what it would take to get a deal done entering draft day. But getting him signed, let alone this early, will only help the team as it attempts to lock up their draft class — and there’s already another one on the way.