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ATLANTA -- AJ Smith-Shawver had a chance to play baseball and football at Texas Tech. But the seventh-round selection in the 2021 Draft will instead begin his professional baseball career courtesy of the near $1 million bonus the Braves have provided.
According to MLB.com’s Jim Callis, the Braves have signed Smith-Shawver with a $997,500 bonus. This is $795,900 above the multi-sport star’s slot value. It was also the cost needed to influence the 18-year-old Texan to decline the opportunity to pitch and play quarterback for Texas Tech.
“We love that he’s a two-sport star because we know he’s really athletic and a good, strong, physical kid,” Braves vice president of scouting Dana Brown said. “We think he has some upside to be pretty special."