Sam Bachman, former Miami star pitcher and the ninth overall selection in the 2021 MLB draft signed with the Los Angeles Angels for $3,847,500 Wednesday, according to reports from Baseball America’s Carlos Collazo. The team has yet to announce the signing.
Bachman became the first ever former RedHawk player selected in the first round of the MLB first-year player draft earlier this month when the Angels chose him ninth overall. The Angels saved over $1 million dollars with Bachman’s signing, as the slot value of the ninth overall selection was $4,949,100.
Bachman is part of an Angels draft class that broke records. Los Angeles selected pitchers with all 20 of their selections this year, including 19 college arms. The team will be able to use the $1 million saved on Bachman to sign high caliber players picked lower in the draft.
Bachman’s assignment hasn’t yet been announced, but it’s likely he will start his professional career with the Inland Empire 66ers (Single-A) or the Rocket City Trash Pandas (AA).
Bachman went 4-4 with a 1.81 earned run average (ERA) and struck out 93 batters in just over 59 innings for Miami in 2020. Experts say that Bachman could reach the major leagues as early as this season in the Angels bullpen.