Adley Rutschman Signs With Orioles

A few weeks after being picked first overall in the MLB Draft, Adley Rutschman signed his contract with the Baltimore Orioles today. Rutschman’s deal includes an $8.1 million signing bonus, breaking the record previously established by the Pirates signing of Gerrit Cole.

While there was some speculation in the run up to the draft that the O’s might pass on Rutschman to sign someone they could spend less than slot value, similarly to what the Astros did with Carlos Correa a few seasons ago, Baltimore ultimately made the smart call and went with Rutschman. Rutschman is expected to play for the Orioles fall league team, and it would not be shocking for him to progress quickly the Orioles’ farm system.

Rutschman joins several other Beavers in signing pro contracts. Beau Philip, Dylan Pearce, Tyler Malone and Grant Gambrell have all signed MLB contracts. After losing a significant amount of their starting lineup last season, the Beavers will once again have to reload this offseason.