No. 2 Pick Grady Emerson Lands Historic Signing Bonus in Rays Rookie Contract After 2026 MLB Draft

After being drafted second overall by the Tampa Bay Rays, Grady Emerson has landed a historic signing bonus.

Per Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline, Emerson inked a $9.75 million signing bonus, the highest ever for a high school player and the second-highest for any player.

It was clear the Rays thought highly of Emerson after taking him second overall, and the lofty signing bonus only confirms how Tampa Bay feels about him.

Emerson, who played for Fort Worth Christian in Texas, slashed .532/.648/.1.013 with seven homers and 21 steals during his senior season. He was MLB.com's top-rated prospect, even over No. 1 overall pick Roch Cholowsky.

Emerson, 18, has plenty of confidence that it won't take long for him to develop.

"My goal is to be in the [Majors] by 20 years old, so maybe a year and a half, two years," Emerson said. "I want to prove that I can develop. I really trust in this Rays organization to develop me and to put everything they've got into me, just like I'm gonna do for them."

The shortstop position in Tampa Bay isn't exactly full of talent, so if Emerson can excel at the minor league level, it won't be surprising to see him called up to The Show shortly.