The Padres signed high-school RHP Zach Eflin, the No. 33 overall pick in the 2012 draft, to a contract with a $1.2 million bonus.
San Diego saved $325,000 under slot with the signing. Acquired with the Padres’ compensatory pick for Heath Bell, Eflin is an electrifying high-school arm. He has a ways to go in his development, but boasts a mid-90s fastball to go along with his huge 6-foot-5, 200-pound frame. He likely fell from the first round over signability concerns, which is why it’s fairly surprising that he didn’t even get slot value from the Padres. Eflin was reportedly a strong commit to the University of Central Florida, but perhaps he was using that rhetoric as leverage. If all goes to plan, Eflin could be a front-line starter sometime in the next 4-5 years.
Source: utsandiego.com