DETROIT — The Tigers made an uncommon wager on a participant with no main league expertise, signing 22-year-old infield prospect Colt Keith to a six-year contract Sunday that ensures him $28,642,500.
His deal contains three staff choices that would make it price $64 million over 9 seasons, and the Tigers mentioned there are escalators that enhance the worth to $82 million over 9 years.
Keith is ranked the No. 22 huge league prospect by MLB.com.
A left-handed-hitting third baseman and second baseman, Keith is from Zanesville, Ohio, and was a fifth-round choose within the 2020 beginner draft out of Biloxi Excessive Faculty in Mississippi.
He hit .325 with 14 house runs and 50 RBIs in 59 video games final yr for Double-A Erie then was promoted to Triple-A Toledo on June 26 and batted .287 with 13 house runs and 51 RBIs in 67 video games.
Keith will get a $2 million signing bonus and salaries of $2.5 million in 2024, $3.5 million in 2025, $4 million every in 2026 and 2027 and $5 million apiece in 2028 and 2029. Detroit has a $10 million possibility for 2030 with a $2,642,500 buyout, a $13 million possibility for 2031 with a $1 million buyout and a $15 million possibility for 2032 with a $2 million buyout.
The Milwaukee Brewers agreed final month to an eight-year, $82 million contract with 19-year-old outfielder Jackson Chourio, the most important contract for a prospect with no main league service.
Detroit has had shedding information in seven straight seasons. The Tigers haven’t gained a World Collection since 1984 and haven’t gained an American League pennant since 2012.