Sources: Rockies give record-breaking bonus to Charlie Condon

The Colorado Rockies’ $9.25 million bonus for Charlie Condon ties the MLB record for money given to a drafted player, sources tell ESPN.

the Colorado Rockies And the striker Charlie Condon They reached A an agreement Which includes a Association For signature $9.25 million, equation he register to big leagues by advance payment for meThe chosen playerThey said sources to Espen.

Condon, who was selected with the third pick in Sunday’s draft, matches the bonus given to the second pick, Chase BurnsBy Cincinnati Reds, Thursday. 1st overall pick, Travis Bazanaagreed to an $8.95 million bonus with the Cleveland Guardians this week, according to sources.

Condon, 21, who played third base for the University of Georgia but is expected to be a starter for the Rockies, has hit 37 home runs this year, the most since the NCAA began requiring BBCOR bats in 2011.

With elite power and swing decisions, Condon has hit .433/.566/1.009 and driven in 78 runs with 57 walks and 41 strikeouts this season. ESPN’s Kelly McDaniel ranks Condon as the No. 1 prospect on his 2024 draft board.

The bonuses given to Condon and Burns, both represented by Vayner Sports, exceed the $9.2 million the Pittsburgh Pirates offered to Paul Skinis, the 2023 first-round pick who started this week’s NL All-Star Game.

In Condon, the Rockies have the kind of player whose immense power doesn’t need the support that Coors Field will provide. While the Rockies’ biggest strength may be their young outfielders, including center fielder Brenton Doyle And the left players Nolan Jones, Jordan Beck And Zack FinnThe opportunity for a game-changing hitter like Condon was too tempting to pass up.

The 6-foot-6, 220-pound Condon was drafted lightly out of high school and immediately shined at Georgia in 2023 after sitting out his freshman season. He was unanimously voted the Rookie of the Year and followed it up with an even better 2024 season, winning the Golden Spikes Award as the best player in college baseball. Since Condon was 21 on draft day, he was eligible to be drafted as a sophomore.

Ben Condon, Iowa right-handed pitcher, Brody BrechtTexas Gardener, Jared Thomasand South Carolina receiver, Cole MessinaThe Rockies’ draft has been praised industry-wide, and should greatly bolster the farm system of a team whose 34-63 record is a half-game better than Miami’s for worst in the National League.