The Chicago Cubs have signed first-round pick Alex Lange out of LSU. The right-handed pitcher was selected 30th overall back in June and the Cubs actually saved some money on the signing.
Lange, who went 10-5, with a 2.97 ERA and a 3/1 strikeout to walk ratio during his junior season at LSU, settled for less than the slot bonus value of almost $2.2 million after something came up on his physical, according to FanRag Sports.
Robert Murray reported the following before the Cubs came to an agreement with Lange prior to Friday's deadline.
Chicago Cubs first-round pick Alex Lange had an issue come up with his physical on Monday, but the sides continue to talk about a deal that would presumably be less than the slot bonus value of $2,184,300 for the No. 30 pick, league sources tell FanRag Sports. It’s unclear what the exact issue is with Lange’s physical, but it was enough where the two sides have to go back and discuss a new deal.Earlier on Friday, Jon Heyman reported that Lange was considering a return to LSU.
However, Lange would then be at a disadvantage coming into next year's MLB Draft as a senior, having no leverage in negotiations. At the end, the Cubs and the pitcher got on the same page and agreed to a deal. Lange had 150 strikeouts and 48 walks in 124.1 innings this last season at LSU. The 150 strikeouts were second most in the NCAA. Anyway, whatever came up on the physical is hopefully not a big deal, but if it leads to something bigger like Tommy John Surgery, it's better to get that out of the way early and then have Lange all set afterward. Again, that's simply pure speculation from me, as the FanRag Sports report didn't specify what the issue was on the physical.
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