Each year following the MLB Draft, franchises enter a three-week period in which they race to sign their selections. The deadline to sign picks is July 15, but it is uncommon for low-round picks to sign after the first few weeks after the draft.
The NC State baseball team had eight players selected in this year’s draft. Here is a look at who signed professional contracts and where they have been assigned to start playing, as well as who might return to the Wolfpack:
Joe Dunand, Shortstop, Miami Marlins
The Marlins took an early gamble on Dunand in the second round, using the 51st overall pick to select the Miami-born shortstop. Dunand signed his first professional contract in the weeks following the draft, collecting a signing bonus of $1.2 million, which was slightly below the slot-value $1,326,800 for the 51st pick.
Dunand won’t have to venture far from his college home to start his professional career, as the Marlins assigned him to their single-A short-season affiliate Greensboro Grasshoppers. However, the start to Dunand’s stint in Greensboro has been delayed, as the shortstop was immediately placed on the designated list with an injury and has yet to play a game.
Evan Mendoza, Third Baseman, St. Louis Cardinals
Mendoza started his career at NC State as a pitcher, but found his success as an elite-defender and consistent bat at third base. The Cardinals used their 11th-round pick to select Mendoza, and signed him shortly after with a bonus of $150,000, more than the $125,000 allotted slot value for players drafted after the 10th round.
The Cardinals have sent Mendoza to the State College Spikes, a single-A affiliate in Pennsylvania. Mendoza has taken off early on in his professional career, hitting .333 with nine RBIs in his first 10games with the Spikes.
Josh McLain, Outfielder, Los Angeles Dodgers
McLain was the 430th player drafted this year, with the Dodgers selecting him in the 14th round. However, McLain has not signed a contract with the Dodgers and looks to be returning to NC State for his senior season. The Pack gets its starting center fielder and team leader in doubles from 2017 back with McLain returning.
Andy Cosgrove, Catcher, Minnesota Twins
Cosgrove spent just one year at State after transferring for his junior season, and solidified his role as the Pack’s starting catcher. The Twins used a 17th-round pick on the defensively-sound catcher, and signed him the following week. Cosgrove was sent to the Elizabethton Twins, a rookie ball team in Tennessee. In his four appearances, Cosgrove tallied five hits for a .313 batting average.
Tommy DeJuneas, Pitcher, Cleveland Indians
Cleveland used its 26th-round pick on the junior righty, signing him for $75,000, well less than the slot value of $125,000. In three appearances for the rookie-ball Arizona League Indians, DeJuneas has played well, tossing 3.2 scoreless innings while allowing only two hits and tallying fivestrikeouts.
Brock Deatherage, Outfielder, Pittsburgh Pirates
Deatherage was a highly-rated prospect coming into the 2017 season, but struggled at the plate mightily in his junior campaign, killing his draft status. The Pirates picked the speedy outfielder in the 29th round, but like McLain, Deatherage has not signed a contract and appears to be on his way back to Raleigh for his senior year. A strong rebound season for Deatherage next year could shoot him up the draft boards, as his physical tools are elite.
Cody Beckman, Pitcher, Milwaukee Brewers
Beckman was one of head coach Elliott Avent’s go-to arms out of the bullpen at State despite erratic performance, and the Brewers selected him in the 30th round following an inconsistent junior year. Beckman signed with Milwaukee the following week, and was sent to the rookie-ball Arizona League Brewers. In his two appearances, Beckman has thrown two scoreless innings.
Tim Naughton, Pitcher, Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles, who selected NC State’s Preston Palmeiro in the seventh round in 2016, chose Naughton in the 34th round this year to round out the Wolfpack’s contingent of drafted players. He signed with the team shortly after, and is now playing at a rookie-ball level with the Gulf Coast League Orioles. In two games, Naughton has pitched two perfect innings and picked up a save.
