Reds sign No. 35 overall Draft pick Nelson
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CINCINNATI -- The Reds signed catcher Mat Nelson on Wednesday after reaching a deal with the No. 35 overall selection in the 2021 MLB Draft.
• Reds Draft Tracker: Complete pick-by-pick coverage
Nelson, who was taken in Competitive Balance Round A last week out of Florida State, signed for $2,095,800 -- the full bonus slot value for the 35th pick. He was in Cincinnati on Tuesday to accept the Johnny Bench Award as the top collegiate catcher in the nation.
The ACC Player of the Year, Nelson batted .330 with 23 home runs and 66 RBIs in 53 games. The 22-year-old unanimous All-American led the nation in homers and was the highest-drafted Florida State catcher since Buster Posey was taken fifth overall in 2008.
Cincinnati still has six unsigned picks from this year’s Draft. The deadline to sign all 2021 selections is Aug. 1.