Guardians set 2025 MLB record with $4 million contract

The Cleveland Guardians are often viewed as a bit cheap.

Not this time.

The Guardians topped the list of bonus-over-value handed out for the first round of the 2025 MLB Draft.

Compared to Jace Laviolette's slot value at pick No. 27 at $3.382 million, the Guardians went more over-slot than anyone in MLB this season.

They handed Laviolette a $4 million signing bonus.

It was overall an under-slot first round, as only three teams went over-slot this year.

MORE: Nick Kurtz is youngest player in MLB history to hit 4 home runs in one game

Laviolette could be worth it.

At 6-foot-6 and 230 pounds, he has immense raw power.

In his college career, Laviolette blasted an impressive 68 home runs.

Now, he'll be expected to take a relatively quick path through the minors as an experienced SEC hitter.

Soon enough, he'll get the chance to show how that money might pay off.

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