D-backs agree to terms with Lawlar

PHOENIX -- The D-backs have agreed to terms with first-round pick Jordan Lawlar (sixth overall), the club announced on Saturday. The high school shortstop from Texas is set to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Saturday's game against the Dodgers.

Lawlar was the No. 3 overall prospect in the Draft, according to MLB Pipeline, and he was believed to be even higher on the D-backs' Draft board.

Lawler will receive a $6,713,300 signing bonus per Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline, which is greater than the slot value of $5,742,900. The final figure was the maximum amount the D-backs could give him without exceeding their bonus pool.

Lawlar had committed to play at Vanderbilt, so he did have some significant leverage.

The 19-year-old is regarded as a five-tool prospect after starring for Jesuit Prep in the Dallas area, and he was recently named Texas' Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year.

A right-handed hitter, Lawlar uses a patient approach and often attacks the gaps with a compact swing. Given his impressive bat speed and 6-foot-2 frame, he figures to develop more power as he continues to add strength.

Defensively, he has plenty of range, quick hands and a plus arm, a combo that will undoubtedly keep him at shortstop at the next level. Lawlar also has plus speed that will benefit him both in the field and on the basepaths.

"Slam dunk he can play shortstop," D-backs scouting director Deric Ladnier said the night Lawlar was selected. "I mean, just electric tools -- really good feet, really good hands, really good arm. Good range, good instincts, ability to steal bases, ability to hit for power. He checks all the boxes, quite frankly, and just a wonderful human being. He's just a super athlete with a projectable body. And all of those things that he possesses are the types of tools that we as evaluators, we're always looking for when we go to the ballpark, and we could pretty much walk out of the ballpark and check every box, which doesn't happen a lot."