Blue Jays set MLB record with $1.6975 million contract for speedy shortstop

The Toronto Blue Jays used a speculative 12th-round pick on a high school shortstop with concerns about signability.

They signed him. It just took an MLB record to do so.

The bonus the Blue Jays paid to Blaine Bullard is the highest for any 12th-round pick in league history. Bullard will get $1,697,500 to sign with Toronto.

Bullard was ranked No. 120 in the class by MLB.com, but he didn't go until pick 362 because teams seemed to think his commitment to Texas A&M would stick.

"Bullard raised his stock more than any high school position prospect in Texas this spring," MLB.com wrote. "Teams have differing opinions about his offensive upside, but enough clubs like him that he could fit in the top three rounds if he's signable. He has a strong commitment to Texas A&M and could wind up in College Station. Scouts who believe in Bullard like his bat-to-ball skills from both sides of the plate. Others have questions about his hitting ability and worry that he hasn't faced much in the way of quality competition. He employs more of a gap-to-gap approach right now and makes a lot of groundball contact, but he also has bat speed and a projectable 6-foot-2 frame that could translate into 15 homers per season as he continues to get stronger. Bullard owns plus speed and knows how to use it on the bases and in the outfield. He displays good instincts in center field and should be able to remain there in college or pro ball. He has average arm strength and could handle all three outfield spots if needed."

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Bullard is out of Klein Cain High School. 

His speed makes him a bit of a safer pick, because it'll allow him to be flexible defensively, and it can play no matter how much power ends up developing.

And now, Bullard will have to try and live up to his record-setting bonus.

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