Notebook: Draft pick signing bonuses + the latest commitment in the 2027 class

Four players from Kentucky's roster, three members of the 2026 recruiting class and a transfer portal commitment were selected a few weeks ago in the 2026 MLB Draft. Seven of those picks have now signed, leaving two-sport standout Matt Ponatoski as the lone unsigned selection.

The Cincinnati Reds drafted Ponatoski in the 18th round, suggesting it was most likely a courtesy pick to a hometown player. All picks after the 10th round have a $150,000 assigned value, but teams can use savings from their bonus pool in the top 10 rounds to spend on players picked in rounds after. Any dollar over $150,000 counts against their pool.

The Reds had a bonus pool of $10,758,500 but spent $11,067,500 on picks in the first 10 rounds. Draft rules state that "clubs that outspend their allotment by 0-5 percent pay a 75 percent tax on the overage. At higher thresholds, teams lose future selections: a first-rounder and a 75 percent tax for surpassing their pool by more than 5 and up to 10 percent; a first- and a second-rounder and a 100 percent tax for more than 10 and up to 15 percent; and two first-rounders and a 100 percent tax for more than 15 percent."

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With the Reds already in their overage, it's unlikely there's enough money for a Hail Mary offer to Ponatoski. Ponatoski, prep right-hander David Hinojosa and Georgia's Kenny Ishikawa remain unsigned by the Reds. Ishikawa should be the cheapest of the trio and could land whatever remaining money Cincinnati has to offer. The signing deadline is on July 27 at 5 p.m. ET.

But for the players who have signed, star shortstop Tyler Bell landed the largest signing bonus ever for a Kentucky player. Bonus pools grow every year, so this was expected to be the case when he went No. 10 overall to the Colorado Rockies. Bell signed for $6 million, easily surpassing Evan White's previous high of $3,125,000 when the Seattle Mariners selected him No. 17 overall in the 2017 draft.

Of the other Kentucky selections, Jaxon Jelkin signed with the Philadelphia Phillies for $547,500, Connor Mattison signed with the Minnesota Twins for $150,000 and Nile Adcock signed for $25,000 with the Atlanta Braves.

Junior college shortstop signee Jimmy Anderson was selected by the Baltimore Orioles for the second straight year, this time landing a deal for $457,500 in the fifth round. Prep infielder Robert Omidi went in the eighth round to the Detroit Tigers and signed for $222,800, a surprising underslot deal for a player with an SEC commitment. New Mexico left-handed transfer Cooper Corkean signed for $150,000 with the Kansas City Royals.

All signing bonuses are courtesy of the Baseball America database.

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Cats add to 2027 recruiting class

Kentucky's 2027 recruiting class grew to 10 players this week with the addition of Illinois right-hander Keegan Schwarting. Schwarting camped at Kentucky earlier in the week and posted about an offer from the Cats. He announced his commitment on Wednesday.

Schwarting is a developing prospect. A 6-foot-5, 190 pound pitcher, he's been clocked up to 90 miles per hour on his fastball this summer but mostly sat in the upper 80s in recent events. He also throws a slider, curveball and changeup. This is the first summer Schwarting has played travel baseball, so he's been under the radar until recently. There's a lot of athleticism here and he's been filling up the strike zone on the travel ball circuit, according to one source. Schwarting plays at Joliet West High School.

Here's a blurb from Prep Baseball Report on a recent outing from Schwarting.

A loose mover at a wiry 6-foot-5, 190-pounds, he showed above-average spin with his fastball and both breaking balls. The fastball sat 87-88 mph with over 2300 rpm, while his slider spun at over 2600 rpm at 74-76 mph, and his curveball sat 77-78 mph (2500+ rpm). Schwarting also flashed a changeup at 77-78 mph.

Schwarting is the second commitment for the 2027 class this summer. Two-sport athlete Tyler Fryman announced his commitment to the football and baseball programs at the end of June. According to PBR, Kentucky has three prospects in the top 100 of the 2027 class. Catcher Tristan Steger and right-hander Traxton Roberts join Fryman as top 100 players.

UK baseball high school commitments

Kentucky baseball high school commitments 2027 recruiting.

Bat Cats CentralDerek Terry