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2021 MLB Draft: Dodgers Sign Maddux Bruns, Lael Lockhart & Michael Hobbs

Blake Williams
4 Min Read
Mike Janes/Four Seam Images

The Los Angeles Dodgers had 19 selections in the 2021 MLB Draft, of which they used 17 on a pitcher. Included in that group was Maddux Bruns, who was taken in the first round at No. 29 overall.

“It really surprised us a little bit,” Dodgers director of amateur scouting Billy Gasparino said at the conclusion of the Draft. “It definitely wasn’t any intent. It just kind of kept happening, happening and happening. You look up at the totals and you’re like, ‘Oh my God. We took all pitchers.’

“It does show you how talent-focused we are. The position of need doesn’t really factor at all.”

Of course, after every MLB Draft, the next step is for teams to sign their picks. This year, the Dodgers and all other clubs have until 2 p.m. PT on Sunday, Aug. 1, to sign 2021 draft picks.

L.A. began that process by signing ninth-round pick Lael Lockhart and 10th-rounder Michael Hobbs, according to Carlos Collazo of Baseball America:

More recently, the Dodgers also are said to have agreed to terms with Bruns, per Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com:

Signing Lockart and Hobbs for $2,500 each is well below the slot values for their respective picks, and some savings with Bruns could prove beneficial for the Dodgers in other deals.

With Lockart and Hobbs, the Dodgers were able to sign them to these deals because both pitchers were college seniors and effectively had no leverage to negotiate.

It is disappointing for the players and it takes place around the league, so until the system is changed, teams will continue to take advantage of college seniors.

Lockhart, from the University of Arkansas, went 3-3 and collected 68 strikeouts with a 4.47 ERA in 14 games this season.

Hobbs, out of St. Mary’s College, had six saves and struck out 28 batters with a 0.72 ERA in 19 games this season.

Bruns expected to sign Dodgers

Bruns was verbally committed to attend Mississippi State, but both he and Gasparino expressed confidence a deal would be reached.

The Dodgers are yet to announce any of their reported draft signings. The team has a $4.646 million bonus pool this year.

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Blake Williams is a journalist from Reseda, Calif., who is currently the Managing Editor for Dodger Blue. He previously worked as a Managing Editor for Angels Nation, as a staff writer at Dodgers Nation, as the Managing Editor and Sports Editor for the Roundup News at L.A. Pierce College, and as an Opinion Editor for the Daily Sundial at California State University, Northridge. Blake graduated Cum Laude from CSUN with a major in journalism and a minor in photography/video. He is now pursuing his master's degree from the University of Alabama. Blake is also always open to talk Star Wars with you. Contact: Blake@mediumlargela.com