The Los Angeles Dodgers have signed four more pitchers from their 2021 MLB Draft class, agreeing to deals with Ben Casparius, Emmet Sheehan, Ben Harris and Justin Wrobleski.
L.A. has now signed its top 15 selections from the draft, which was headlined by first-rounder Maddux Bruns who was committed to Mississippi State. Bruns beginning his professional career didn’t come as much of a surprise considering comments made after being drafted.
The Dodgers inked him for under slot value, which aided the organization’s distribution of a $4.6 million bonus pool allotment.
Meanwhile, Casparius and Sheehan signed for deals under their slot value, Harris received about $35,000 more than the slot value, and Wrobleski did not apply to that figure due to being taken after the 10th round, via Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline:
5th-rder Ben Casparius signs w/@Dodgers for $247,500 (pick 162 value = $318,200). Connecticut RHP, led Big East with 127 K in 91.2 IP. Fading changeup is his best offering, also has low-90s fastball & low-80s slider. @MLBDraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 26, 2021
Two @Dodgers @MLBDraft signings:
6th-rder Emmet Sheehan, $244,500 (slot 192 = $247k). Boston College RHP, 106 K in 76.2 IP, low 90s to 96.
8th-rder Ben Harris, $197,500 (slot 252 = $162,700). Georgia RHP, 66 K in 38.2 IP, low 90s w/elite vertical break, flash downer curve.
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 26, 2021
Three late @MLBDraft signings over $125k: @Dodgers: Okla St LHP Justin Wrobleski (11th), $197,500 ($72,500 vs pool)@Orioles: South Carolina RHP Daniel Lloyd (14th), $155k ($30k vs pool)@BlueJays: JC of Southern Nevada 3B Damiano Palmegiani (14th), $157,500 ($32,500 vs pool)
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 28, 2021
Casparius, the Dodgers’ fourth choice in the draft and the 162nd overall pick, is a right-hander from the University of Connecticut who they selected in the fifth round. He was named to the All-Big East Second Team and led the conference in several categories, including wins (eight), innings pitched (91.2) and strikeouts (127).
Sheehan, their fifth selection who was taken 192nd overall, was drafted out of Boston College. The right-hander went 5-9 with a 106 strikeouts in 76.2 innings over 13 games.
Harris, who was taken in the eight-round, 252nd overall, is a southpaw from the University of Georgia. He finished 20 games for the Bulldogs and went 4-2 with a 2.33 ERA.
Wrobleski began his collegiate career at Clemson in 2019, but transferred to a junior college the following year, and after one season went on to join Oklahoma State.
Wrobleski appeared in nine games (eight starts) for the Cowboys this year and went 3-2 with a 4.20 ERA and 1.35 WHIP.
Bonus pool money again applied only to picks made in rounds 1 through 10. Slot values were not assigned to picks made in rounds 11 through 20, with teams instead permitted to give each selection up to $125,000, and any amount over that counts against the total bonus pool.
Teams may spend up to 105% of their bonus pool without losing a first-round pick in the ensuing year’s Draft. No team under the current system has ever spent 105% of their bonus pool money, but the Dodgers have come close to threshold every year.
Teams are taxed on any amount that is over 100% of the bonus pool but under the penalty threshold.
Dodgers unlikely to sign Sirota
The first position player the Dodgers selected in the draft, Michael Sirota, is unlikely to sign with the team. A 16th round selection, the shortstop was drafted out of The Gunnery School in Connecticut, but has a commitment to play at Northeastern University.
“We like Mike a lot. We’re kind of hoping in some ways that we can create enough money as he was a target selection,” Dodgers director of amateur scouting Billy Gasparino said after the Draft concluded.
“There are a lot of positive reviews, our scouts loved him and did a great job on him. I think the way it looks at this point is probably a tougher sign and probably goes to school, unless the circumstances change.
“But we wanted to select him and just have him there in case something unexpected happens.”
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