Millburn’s Echavarria, 3rd-round pick in MLB Draft, signs $3 million contract with Oakland – NJ.com
Millburn’s ace, Steven Echavarria, a third round pick during the 2023 MLB Draft by the Oakland AthleticsHe is about to start his professional career.
Echavarria — 2023 nj.com Pitcher of the year and first-team All-State selection, he signed a $3 million contract with the A’s on Monday, according to MLB.comIt’s Jim Callis.
Echavarria was selected with the 72nd overall pick last Monday, and the deal he agreed to is worth nearly three times the value of the pick’s slot, which was estimated at $1,005,700.
It is the largest overslot deal signed so far this year, according to Callis.
Echavarria told NJ Advance Media that he was leaning towards signing with Oakland after being drafted. He was committed to the University of Florida, but will now embark on his professional career after accepting the deal.
The 6-foot-1, 195-pound right-hander had a breakout senior season at Millburn.
Echavarria went 8-1 on the mound with 80 strikeouts and a 0.28 ERA in 50 innings, helping Millburn win the Greater Newark Tournament and the North 2 Group 3 sectional championship. His fastball has reached 98 mph, and constantly sat in the mid 90’s with your heater.
He combined his overwhelming fastball with a devastating breaking ball, which baffled hitters all spring.
“I’m excited and happy that it happened,” Echavarria told NJ Advance Media after being recruited. “So I have to get to work now. This is just one step in the process. I still have a long way to go, so I’ll take it from here and celebrate now. But after this, it’s time to get to work.”
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You can contact Luis Torres at ltorres@njadvancemedia.com and you can follow him on Twitter @ByLuisTorres.
