Compiled by Steve Breazeale
After a lengthy period of inaction Kolby Allard and the Atlanta Braves, the team that drafted the standout left-handed pitcher from San Clemente as the No. 14 overall pick in last month’s draft, have agreed to terms. On July 9 the Braves signed Allard, their top draft pick, to a $3,042,400 bonus, which was $200,000 over the designated slot value for the 14th overall pick.
Allard broke the news over Twitter, saying:
Headin’ out to #BravesCountry in a couple days, let the journey begin!!! 🇺🇸⚾️ #CHOPNation
— Kolby Allard (@KolbyAllard) July 9, 2015
Allard was the last of the Braves top-25 draft picks to sign with the team.
As the weeks went by and no news of an agreement between the two sides was announced, there was speculation that Allard might honor his commitment to play at UCLA.
An injury to Allard’s lower back, which was diagnosed as a stress reaction, caused him to miss much of his senior season with the San Clemente High School baseball team. Prior to the injury, Allard was ranked by several draft prognosticators as a top pick and was regarded as the best high school arm in the nation. Some held to that belief despite the injury.
Allard will join the ranks of the Braves minor league system, where his high school batterymate, Lucas Herbert (54th overall pick), has already started playing.
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