First-round pick Hacopian signs contract
Former Maryland and Texas A&M infielder Chris Hacopian agreed to an under-slot bonus that gives the Nats more to spend on their other draft picks
The Nationals have signed first-round draft pick Chris Hacopian to an under-slot bonus, allowing the locally born infielder to begin his professional career in short order while saving some money that could be allocated to later-round picks.
Hacopian, who grew up in Montgomery County and played two seasons at Maryland before transferring to Texas A&M, signed for $5.7 million, a source familiar with the deal confirmed. MLB’s designated slot value for the No. 11 pick was $6,133,500.
The Athletic was first to report the amount of the signing bonus.
Considered one of the best college hitters in this year’s draft, Hacopian slashed .319/.405/.578 with 11 homers, 25 walks and 21 strikeouts in 42 games as a junior this season, missing some time in the spring with a lower-back injury and shifting from shortstop to second base along the way. A right-handed hitter, the 21-year-old could wind up playing at any infield position.
A graduate of Churchill High School in Potomac, Hacopian grew up a rabid Nationals fan, rooting for the likes of Ian Desmond and Danny Espinosa as a young child and then celebrating the 2019 World Series title with his older brother, Eddie, and father, Derek, who both also played at Maryland.
Given his local connection and obvious enthusiasm upon getting drafted by his hometown team, Hacopian figured to be an easy signing for the Nats all along.
“I’m so stoked to get to work,” he said on draft day last weekend. “At the end of the day, I get to play more baseball, I get to play at a higher level and I get to do it with an organization that has had so much success and I grew up rooting for. I don’t even know how to say this, but it’s just such a blessing.”
The Nationals haven’t announced the signings of any of their other 19 draft picks yet, but Hacopian’s below-slot deal gives them a bit more to allocate to other players, particularly third-round pick Luke Williams (a shortstop from Murrysville, Pa.) and fourth-round pick Cooper Harris (a right-hander from Flower Mound, Tex.). Second-round pick Chase Brunson (an outfielder from TCU) could also sign for below-slot as a college player.
The club has a total bonus pool of $12,278,300 to spend on this year’s draft picks.
Thanks so much for this info. It seems like just yesterday I used to open the Washington Post to get news like this. I must admit I really miss that. On the other hand, it makes me really appreciate what Mark is doing for us here.