Top 10 in '09
1 Nats Stephen Strasburg RHP $7,500,000
2 Mariners Dustin Ackley OF $6,000,000
3 Padres Donavan Tate OF $6,250,000
4 Pirates Tony Sanchez C $2,500,000
5 Orioles Matt Hobgood RHP $2,422,000
6 Giants Zack Wheeler RHP $3,300,000
7 Braves Mike Minor LHP $2,420,000
8 Reds Mike Leake RHP $2,270,000
9 Tigers Jacob Turner RHP $4,700,000
Drew Storen did not sign.
Recommended slot for the #5 pick was $2,520,000. So the O's pretty much paid slot for Hobgood and his money at 5 was pretty much in line with picks #4-9.
http://www.mymlbdraf... ... es/170809/
MLB recommended slot and actual signing value are two totally different things. Sanchez and Hobgood both 100% went where they did because they were willing to sign for that compared to what other guys that talent wise, should have gone there. Leake and Minor were both advanced college guys (have to pay more for HS kids because they can go to college) Matzek and Miller got paid well and are a better indication that a HS pitcher at # 5 should have gotten more. It's just tricky to look at what was actually spent or look at "slot" value to get a good idea of what a team should spend (at least back then).
Instead of paying a guy the 3-4.5m at 5 that they were asking, they went 2.5 and spent more later.