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The Mets have signed right-handed pitcher Justin Dunn, their first-round selection in the 2016 draft, at the slot value of $2,378,800. Dunn, who was selected nineteenth overall, was born in Freeport, Long Island. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers out of high school in 2013 but chose not to sign, instead attending Boston College.
Until the 2016 season, Dunn was primarily an undistinguished reliever with solid stuff. Roughly a month into the 2016 season, he was transitioned into Boston College's starting rotation and took a massive leap forward in terms of production. In 65.2 innings—18 appearances, 8 starts—he posted a 2.06 ERA with 72 strikeouts. Key to his success is his fastball—which sits in the low-to-mid 90s and has been clocked as high as 99 MPH—and his slider, a mid-80s offering with tight spin and good vertical drop. A more complete profile of Dunn can be read here.
As per Stuart Johnson, radio announcer for the Brooklyn Cyclones, the Mets have all draftee pitchers complete a ten-day throwing program before allowing them to pitch. This means that Dunn, who is expected to make his professional debut with the Cyclones, will make his debut at the beginning of July at the earliest.
In addition, the team also came to terms with third-round selection Blake Tiberi.
3rd-rder Blake Tiberi signs w/@Mets for $500k (pick 100 = $596,600). Louisville 3B, high contact/OBP type, decent defender. @MLBDraft
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) June 21, 2016
Tiberi was selected in the third round out of the University of Louisville. He did not play as a freshman, but he had a solid sophomore season and was even better as a junior, giving him a great deal of draft helium in the weeks and months leading up to the 2016 draft. At the plate, the third baseman has a good hit tool. Thanks to good bat speed control, Tiberi makes a lot of contact, but with all of the contact comes a low walk rate. Defensively, he is a bit of a mixed bag. He has soft hands and has an above-average arm, but his thick, stocky body limits his range and first-step quickness. A more complete profile of Tiberi can be read here.
Tiberi has already been assigned to the Brooklyn Cyclones. He will get the majority of playing time at third base, supplanting seventeenth-round draftee Jay Jabs, who has thus far been the Cyclones' primary third baseman.