NC State 2019 Signee Blake Walston Drafted 26th Overall by Arizona

2019 NC State Signee Blake Walston (6’4″/172) was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks with the 26th overall pick tonight in the 1st round.

Walston led New Hanover to a North Carolina State Championship the past two years, and took home Gatorade Player of the Year honors this year. As a Senior, he compiled a 13-0 record, a 0.46 ERA and 137 strikeouts in 75 1/3 innings.

Many scouts project that Walston could be one of the top picks in the 2022 MLB Draft, so the Left Handed Pitcher has quite the decision to mull over.

With the #26 overall pick, MLB.com projects Walston’s contract will be worth $2,653,400. Compare that to the $6-8 million the Top-5 picks will make, which will only be higher in three years time. Salaries are 3.9% higher this year, compared to last year.

The Diamondbacks have a silver bullet in their gun though, possessing more money in their bonus pool than any other team in the 2019 Draft. Arizona has $16,093,700 to use for signing bonuses for players they draft in the first 10 rounds.

Many thought that Walston would be too expensive to sign out of high school, but if any team might be able to pull it off, it would be Arizona. Walston will have to decide if he wants to take the money now, or clean up more in three years.

If he were to turn down the contract, he wouldn’t be the first player to deny 1st round money.

Photo Credit