The MLB Draft took place on July 11th and 12th, but the deadline for teams to sign their draftees was on Monday, July 27th at 5 pm eastern. Most of the negotiations between organizations and players occurs before the name is ever called, but there’s still work to be done to finalize the details in the two weeks post-draft.

In some situations, i.e. Logan Schmidt, there’s a lot that has to happen in those 15 days. For the most part, things eventually get settled and scenarios play out the way they were expected once selections are made during the draft. All 8 of LSU’s players that got drafted have signed their professional deals as they take the next step in their career.

As you have likely heard by this point, the Tigers were able to get 6 of the top-100 ranked high school players through the draft and on their way to Baton Rouge. It’s not just top-heavy, either. There’s true depth up and down the class, making for an exciting future.

Although it’s fairly self-explanatory, each player listed will include the amount he received for his signing bonus. The slot value for their selection is also included, showing what was negotiated between player and team. For rounds 11-20, the slot value is a static number that is built in to MLB teams’ bonus pool. Anything over $150K comes out of their pool, but as long as they stay at or under that figure, the bonus does not count against them in total.

Derek Curiel (OF) – 1st round, #5 overall—Signed: $6,200,000 Slot: $8,336,500

Curiel was the last of any LSU-related draftee to sign his deal, but it was never in doubt that he eventually would. Signing for $2 million under slot is a tad surprising, but the $6.2 million figure that he got does line more up with picks 9-12, which is mostly where he was expected to be selected heading in to the draft. Pittsburgh got to save 25% of the slot value for the #5 pick to utilize later and the sophomore CF gets to join former Tigers Paul Skenes and Jared Jones in an organization on the rise.

Jake Brown (OF) – 2nd round, #65 overall—Signed: $1,382,600 Slot: $1,382,600

We believed based on end-of-season and pre-draft conversations that there was a slight chance that Jake Brown could choose to return for his senior season at LSU. He would have had to slide in to the 3rd round and get offered less than seven figures for that to happen, though. At the end of the day, the Mariners made a fantastic decision and Brown gets to join Kade Anderson in hopes to quickly move up the minors, as well.

Deven Sheerin (RHP) – 4th round, #128 overall—Signed: $600,000 Slot: $597,400

Not many anticipated the possibility of Sheerin returning for another year in Baton Rouge, but he did have two more season of eligibility even regardless of the new 5-for-5 rule. For him to get selected in the 4th round as a relief pitcher shows how high he was valued, though. Getting drafted that high and offered that much money as a non-starter is typically rare. Sheerin has a bright future with the Phillies as he continues to refine his mechanics and get even stronger.

Grant Fontenot (RHP) – 10th round, #299 overall—Signed: $72,500 Slot: $195,600

Getting as much money as Fontenot did as a senior-sign is fantastic. Especially for a guy that did not pitch a whole lot in his college career. Upper 90s and strike-throwing is a good combination, though, and will always get you an opportunity.

Santiago Garcia (LHP) – 12th round, #372 overall—Signed: $150,000 Slot: $150,000

I was actually a bit surprised that Garcia lasted as long as he did and he only got the base $150K. A lefty that throws mid-90s and still had eligibility can often garner a higher offer, but a call from a solid organization like the Blue Jays can factor in to taking less than a player’s number if he feels like it’s the right opportunity.

Connor Benge (RHP) – 13th round, #385 overall—Signed: $122,500 Slot: $150,000

As a senior, six figures for Benge is fantastic. His fastball is electric, so if Miami can help develop his command, he could be well worth the price.

Gavin Guidry (RHP) – 16th round, #480 overall—Signed: $150,000 Slot: $150,000

It was amazing to see Guidry get this opportunity with how his LSU career finished. He burst on to the scene after moving from SS to P during his freshman year and became one of the most important pitchers on a championship team. He followed that up with a better sophomore year, but the troubles started with a back injury that shut him down for his entire junior season. His return in 2026 got off to a great start, but I am of the belief that as the season went along, his arm/back wore down and his performance slipped. His upside is still through the roof, though. The Mets made a great call by getting Guidry in to their system.

Zac Cowan (RHP) – 19th round, #573 overall—Signed: $100,000 Slot: $150,000

Cowan will be an interesting career path to watch. As good as he was in college, he’ll need to add more to his repertoire if he hopes to ascend in the Guardians system. His changeup is elite, but we saw, at times, how he could get in trouble if that pitch wasn’t as sharp as it could be. Cleveland will likely try to add some velocity to his low-90s fastball, but if he can turn his slider in to another plus-pitch, it would work great with the changeup.

Logan Schmidt (LHP) – 2nd round, #59 overall—Signed: N/A Slot: $1,598,900

By far the most interesting story of the draft (and post-draft) for LSU, possibly overall. It was immediately assumed that he would sign with Cleveland after his name was called, rightfully so, but the deadline came and went and the fresh 18 year old decided to stick to his higher asking price and reject the $1.7 million offer that the Guardians had left in their bonus pool. He is now weighing the decision of upholding his commitment to LSU or taking the path of JUCO and re-entering the draft in 2027. Here is my full breakdown of the entire situation, explaining what has already happened and what is to come.

Jensen Hirschkorn (RHP) – 3rd round, #84 overall—Signed: $3,997,500 Slot: $973,700

Although he was considered a longshot to make it to campus, the possibility of Hirschkorn slipping through the draft was increasing throughout day 1. That was until the Braves called and offered him a record-breaking $3 million over-slot offer.

Wessley Roberson (OF) – 4th round, #115 overall—Signed: $1,197,500 Slot: $677,500

Another one that was never really expected to make it to campus, Roberson nearly doubled up on his slot value and will head straight to the Marlins organization. With LSU getting guys like Malachi Washington and Nate Davis to campus, this was one that you could live with as the outfield is already jam-packed.

Dylan Blomker (RHP) – 5th round, #159 overall—Signed: $888,000 Slot: $441,300

Thought as more likely to make it to campus, Blomker had a reported asking price of $800k-$1 million according to Koki Riley of The Advocate and that’s exactly what he got. He’ll head to the Cubs farm system after doubling his slot value.

Spencer Evans (LHP) – 11th round, #318 overall—Signed: $300,000 Slot: $150,000

This was probably the most surprising loss to the recruiting class, as Evans was thought to be a pretty sure bet to make it to Baton Rouge. This was also around the time that it was becoming clear that high-level prep pitchers across the country were deciding not to take less than their asking price and staying patient. Pittsburgh saw an opportunity to offer much more than Evans may have been anticipating and can start working on making him a steal.

Will Adams (1B) – 11th round, #336 overall—Signed: $1,000,000 Slot: $150,000

Considered a 50/50 guy to make it to LSU, it was going to take a heck of an offer to get him to pass on college. That’s exactly what Detroit gave him, allotting $850,000 extra out of their bonus pool after saving money earlier in the draft. The Tigers are getting a versatile player that can play 1st base or corner outfield and already considered a polished hitter.

Anthony Murphy (OF) – 16th round, #466 overall—Signed: N/A Slot: $150,000

Of all of the outfielders in LSU’s recruiting class, Murphy was the least likely to make it to campus. Somehow, he was unable to find a landing spot with his requested number and he slipped to this point where the Nationals drafted him to try and cash in on his desire to go straight from high school to pro ball. Murphy, instead, chose to head to college, but it will not be with his original commitment, LSU. Due to his age, he’ll again be eligible for the draft following his sophomore season in 2028. With just two years to make his case to get drafted higher, he was seeking a clearer path to playing time and due to how deep Jay Johnson’s outfield is, that would not be the case with the Tigers. He requested to be released from his commitment, which he was, and has since committed to Miami.

Malachi Washington (OF) – 18th round, #528 overall—Signed: N/A Slot: $150,000

Taken as a lottery ticket by the Pirates, Washington was set on heading to LSU by this point in the draft, but Pittsburgh selected him in case something fell through with one of their top picks and they’d have the bonus pool money available to spend here.

Dominic Santarelli (OF/1B) – 18th round, #550 overall—Signed: N/A Slot: $150,000

This was the exact same situation as Malachi Washington. Santarelli didn’t get the offer he was looking for earlier and was preparing his purple and gold, but the Mariners selected him just in case something change.