Chicago Cubs Sign Third-Round Pick Rivera to Below-Slot Deal
The Chicago Cubs have agreed to terms with their third-round pick, Florida shortstop Josh Rivera, per MLB.com.
Rivera reportedly agreed to a deal worth $725,000, which is below the slot value for his third-round selection (No. 81 overall), which is $872,400.
Rivera brings a wealth of college experience to the Cubs’ organization after having his best season in 2023. He was named a Second Team All-American (ABCA, D1B, PG), First Team All-SEC and First Team Southeast All-Region in addition to being a Brooks Wallace Award Finalist.
His 19 home runs was more than any other middle infielder in a single season in team history. He also set the single-season record for RBI in a season (72) for a UF shortstop. He also ranks second all-time among UF shortstops in a single season with 70 runs scored.
The Cubs selected 20 players in the draft and with Shaw’s slot value, that eats up a little more than half of the Cubs’ $8.962 million signing bonus pool. He’ll join a farm system ranked No. 13 by MLB.com.
The Cubs must agree to terms with their draft selections by 4 p.m. central July 25.
2023 Chicago Cubs Draft Picks
Note: Players signed or reportedly signed in Bold
1 (13): Matt Shaw, SS, Maryland $4,848,500 (Pick value: $4,848,500)
2C (68): Jaxon Wiggins, RHP, Arkansas (Pick value: $1,101,000)
3 (81): Josh Rivera, SS, Florida -- $725,000 (Pick value: $872,400)
4 (113): Will Sanders, RHP, South Carolina (Pick value: $591,800)
5 (149): Michael Carico, C, Davidson -- $400,000 (Pick value: $416,900)
6 (176): Alfonsin Rosario, OF, P27 Academy (SC) -- $325,600 (Pick value: $325,600)
7 (206): Yahil Melendez, SS, B You Academy (PR) (Pick value: $254,500)
8 (236): Brett Bateman, OF, Minnesota (Pick value: $203,600) – Terms not disclosed
9 (266): Jonathon Long, 1B, Long Beach State (Pick value: $179,400) - Terms not disclosed
10 (296): Luis Martinez-Gomez, RHP, Temple Col (Pick value: $168,300) - Terms not disclosed
11 (326): Zyhir Hope, OF, Colonial Forge High School (VA)
12 (356): Carter Trice, 2B, NC State
13 (386): Sam Armstrong, RHP, Old Dominion
14 (416): Grayson Moore, RHP, Vanderbilt
15 (446): Ty Johnson, RHP, Ball State
16 (476): Daniel Brown, LHP, Campbell University
17 (506): Ethan Flanagan, LHP, UCLA
18 (536): Brian Kalmer, 3B, Gonzaga – Terms not disclosed
19 (566): Nick Dean, RHP, Maryland
20 (596): Drew Bowser, 3B, Stanford
Note: Salary and slot values per MLB.com.
More From SI's Inside The Cubs
1. Could Mike Trout Request a Trade to the Chicago Cubs?
2. Did David Robertson Net the Cubs a Future Star in Ben Brown?
3. Hoerner is the Cubs Shortstop of the Future
4. Cubs Could Give Canario a Shot in September
5. Could the Cubs Land Trea Turner in the Offseason?
6. Chicago Cubs Have a New Top Prospect in Their Rankings
7. Is This Top Cubs Prospect Destined for the Mound at Wrigley?
8. Steele Offers Glimpse Into Future of Cubs Rotation
9. Do the Chicago Cubs Have the National League's Best Bullpen?
