All seven Florida Gators selected during the 2025 MLB draft have signed contracts to begin their pro careers.
Shortstop Colby Shelton was the highest-drafted Gator off the board, but it’s right-hander Jake Clemente who is taking home the largest signing bonus at $500,000. While both players had some leverage to negotiate, being eligible to return next year, Clemente redshirted his first year, granting him an extra year.
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Shelton still got paid. He signed an overslot deal at $447,500 ($403,900 slot value) as the No. 168 overall pick. Clemente’s slot value was just over $309,000, but the Marlins wanted to sign the hometown kid.
Pierce Coppola is next on the list. The Chicago Cubs paid their seventh-round pick a full-slot value of $278,500.
That wraps up the slot-value deals, as players drafted after the 10th round have other contract rules. Teams can sign those players for $150,000, which doesn’t hurt against their draft cap the way the early-round overslot and underslot deals do.
Bobby Boser got his full $150,000, but the Athletics didn’t offer him any more, which is the case for many four-year seniors out of eligibility. The draft is a big negotiation game.
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Players like Luke Heyman, who can return, get more money. Seattle gave Heyman $230,000 as a 14th-rounder. Although Brody Donay had a year of eligibility left, the Tampa Bay Rays gave the 17th-round pick $150,000.
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This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida Baseball: 2025 MLB draft rookie bonuses for 7 former Gators