Big spending seems to be a regular occurrence in the NL East. We watched the Mets open their pocketbooks for the largest contract in MLB history when they heaped $765 million in Juan Soto’s lap at the end of 2024.
The Phillies, meanwhile, have seven players with contracts that total more than $100 million. But they haven’t limited large lump sums to their star players. Last year, Philadelphia set a record for the highest salary given to a seventh-round Draft pick when they inked righty Matthew Fisher to a one-year, $1.25 million deal.Â
Thursday, their division-rival Braves matched that record, signing prep prospect Jack Brenner to a $1.25 million deal, which exceeded the pick’s (No. 202) bonus pool value by nearly $1 million. That’s not an irregular occurrence, as teams have outspent their bonus pool allocations 260 times over 14 Drafts with fund stipulations, per MLB.
Jack Brenner signs w/@Braves for $1.25 million. Ties all-time 7th-rd bonus record, set last year by Matt Fisher w/@Phillies. Slot 202 value = $307,300. Wisconsin HS C, line-drive swing, very athletic, flashes plus run times, solid arm. @OU_baseball recruit. @MLBDraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 16, 2026
However, surpassing that threshold does carry consequences -- namely tax penalties and draft pick losses depending on the percentage accumulated. But the Braves thought Brenner -- who slashed .439/.516/.707 on the showcase circuit last season -- to be worth the extra dividends. The 18-year-old catcher, who committed to the University of Oklahoma out of Fond du Lac High School in Wisconsin, likely received the bonus to dissuade him from venturing to Norman.
Phillies' million-dollar seventh-rounder is already a top prospect in their system
Fisher, meanwhile, has quickly risen up the ranks of Phillies top prospects, checking in at No. 10 in the club’s top 30 according to MLB Pipeline. Drafted with pick No. 221 out of Reitz Memorial High School in Evansville, IL., Fisher began his 2026 campaign with the rookie-level Florida Complex League Phillies, posting an 0-1 record with a 4.86 ERA through six starts. He struck out 22 batters, and had a .206 batting average against in 16 2/3 innings.
Now with the Clearwater Threshers of the Florida State League, Fisher is 1-0 with a 3.94 ERA in four starts, tallying 16 punchouts in 16 innings. He has a 1.22 WHIP across both leagues in ‘26, with a 10.47 K/9 ratio and a 2.71 K/BB clip.
The 20-year-old, who stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 200 pounds, is projected as a mid-rotation starter, with a lifey fastball and complementary secondary stuff that carries a high spin rate. His fastball sits low-to-mid 90s, topping out at around 95 mph, while he sports a curveball, slider and changeup in his arsenal.
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