The Minnesota Twins signed shortstop Royce Lewis, the first overall pick in the 2017 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, on Saturday.
The deal is for $6.725 million, according to a CBS Sports report.
“This is obviously an exciting day for myself and my family,” Lewis said. “Really excited to be here and be a Minnesota Twin, finally. Day finally came and this is every boy’s dream. This has been my dream since Day One and it’s really exciting. I’m super excited to be a Minnesota Twin.”
The 18-year-old played third base and center field before moving to shortstop at JSerra Catholic High School in Southern California. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Lewis was named the 2017 Gatorade Player of the Year in California and Trinity League Player of the Year for the third consecutive season.
The deal came together quickly, according to agent Scott Boras.
“This was not a surprise for me because I know the Lewis family,” Boras said. “I knew the kind of the fit for the player that they were seeking. I assure you in the many years I’ve been in this business who Royce is as a person, at his age, certainly his skill level is that of a one of kind player, but who he is as a player is distinguishable from many.
“I think he’s someone that someday will be something that all of us in baseball hope players will be. I’m very excited. It’s a credit to his parents.”
A right-handed hitter, Lewis batted .429 with nine doubles and four home runs as a senior.
Lewis was on the gold medal-winning USA Baseball under-18 National Team last fall that beat Cuba for the 2016 COPABE Pan American AAA Championship.
Lewis had been committed to play college baseball at UC Irvine.
But now he is happy to begin his trek toward the majors.
“It’s a child’s dream, like I said before,” Lewis said. “I’m having such a great time and it’s been so much fun meeting everyone I get to meet. I just met (Twins manager) Paul Molitor, just recently and that’s the most recent on my mind.
“I’m like, ‘Whoa! Over 3,000 hits, .306 career batting average.’ I’m like, ‘I’d like to do that some day.’ It’s been a blessing.”
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