Cards Sign First Pick

[Quillback]

Jim Callis of Baseball America reports that the Cardinals have agreed to terms on a contract with their first round pick from last week’s first-year player draft, Gonzaga left-hander Marco Gonzales.

Gonzales got $1.85 million, which is slightly under the recommended signing bonus for the 19th overall pick (which is where he was selected on Thursday night). Considered by many to be the most polished pitcher in this year’s draft class, Gonzales could move very quickly through the Cardinals’ farm system. He has a low-90s fastball and a well-developed changeup, which is a nice arsenal for a lefty.

The 21-year-old native of Fort Collins, Colorado posted a 2.80 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 96/25 K/BB ratio in 106 innings this season as a junior. He also hit .311 with a .375 on-base percentage in 167 at-bats.