Tribe signs six Draft picks, including Freeman

CLEVELAND -- The Indians continued chipping away at their newest Draft class on Wednesday, getting six more players to sign on the dotted line.
Highlighting the latest round of signees was prep shortstop Tyler Freeman, who received a bonus of $816,500, according to MLB.com's Jim Callis. Cleveland selected Freeman during the MLB Draft's Competitive Balance B round (pick No. 71 overall) earlier this month.
"We felt like he still has upside left at shortstop," Brad Grant, the Indians' senior director of amateur scouting, said after selecting Freeman. "And [we think] that we can continue to get him better there and continue to advance him there. I think the thing that stands out, though, is the bat. That's the top thing that stands out."

During his senior season with Etiwanda (Calif.) High School, the 18-year-old Freeman led all California prep players with a .526 (51-for-97) batting average. In 30 games, he compiled four homers, eight doubles, four triples, 36 RBIs and 35 runs scored. The right-handed-hitting Freeman is known for being a high-contact, line-drive hitter, but the Indians believe more power will develop over time.
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"An unbelievable offensive-oriented player," Grant said. "He brings a lot of offensive tools to the game. He's going to be able to hit, and power should come in the future. We're going to start him off at shortstop and let him play there, and we look forward to getting him out and into our system."
Other signees Wednesday included: Outfielder Austen Wade (fifth round), lefty Kyle Nelson (15th round), infielder Dillon Persinger (18th round), right-hander Josh Nashed (19th round) and lefty Michael Hendrickson (28th round). Overall, Cleveland has signed 27 of its 40 selections, including eight players taken within the first 10 rounds.