Draft pick signing season is upon us. With the 2024 MLB Draft concluded a week ago, the Philadelphia Phillies front office has been working behind the scenes to get deals in order with their rash of recent draft picks. The signing deadline is Aug. 1, so there's still more work to be done.
The newest signee is the team's first-round pick, high school outfielder Dante Nori, who the Phillies selected 27th overall on the first night of the draft.
Officially a Phillie ✍️
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 23, 2024
We've signed outfielder Dante Nori, selected No. 27 overall in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft. pic.twitter.com/vD7loeeFqv
Phillies sign 2024 first-round draft pick Dante Nori to a steal of a deal
The Phillies announced the signing on Tuesday, and got the Mississippi State University commit to ink a contract worth $2.5 million. The deal comes in well under the $3,228,300 slot value.
Many observers thought the Phillies went after a high school player in the first round to be able to save on the value of the contract to be able to spread more money around to later draft picks.
Born in Canada, the 19-year-old Nori hails from Northville High School in Michigan. He was named to the MaxPreps 2024 All-America First Team and the 2024 Michigan Player of the Year. The Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association also awarded him the honor of Mr. Baseball as the top player in Michigan.
A left-handed hitter, Nori slashed .477/.575/.748 with a 1.323 OPS, 52 runs scored, 23 extra-base hits, 32 walks and 20 stolen bases in 39 games in his senior year, leading Northville to its first state championship.
“We are extremely excited about the opportunity to draft Dante Nori,” Brian Barber, assistant general manager of amateur scouting, said after the pick. “This is a player that we identified over a year ago due to his tools, baseball skill, top-shelf defense in center field and advanced hitting ability. Dante is also an amazing person with elite makeup, which is apparent to anyone who meets him. We are thrilled to have the chance to bring Dante into the Phillies organization.”
Baseball America calls the Phillies' pick of Nori in the first round the "biggest off-the-board first round selection of the draft" (subscription required). Most didn't see him going as early as No. 27 based on being an older high school player. But the Phillies weren't deterred based on his talent level and ability.
“All things being equal, younger is always better,” Barber said of the Phillies' surprising selection. "but it got to a point where talent level and his baseball ability wasn’t equal to the next person. It was pretty unanimous in the room that this was a guy we wanted to bring into the organization.”