Diamondbacks sign top draft pick Kayson Cunningham

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed first-round draft pick Kayson Cunningham to his full slot value, MLB.com writer Jim Callis reported on Sunday.

Cunningham signed for $4,581,900 after he was picked 18th overall by Arizona in the MLB Draft on July 13.

The 5-foot-10 prep infielder was committed to play college ball at Texas, but he elected to join Arizona’s organization straight out of high school.

The left-handed Cunningham has plus hit and run tools, according to MLB Pipeline and Baseball America, and he hit .509 during his senior season. He won the 2024-25 Gatorade Texas Baseball Player of the Year and the USA Baseball Player of the Year.

Pipeline had the infielder ranked 14th on its big board, while Baseball America ranked him 12th.

The Diamondbacks have not shied away from highly skilled players of his size, such as Corbin Carroll and 2024 first-rounder Slade Caldwell. 

“ I see myself playing with all the guys who are 6-foot-2, I mean, there’s really nothing they do that I can’t,” Cunningham said after getting picked. “I play with a lot of energy, I’m really fast and so that brings a lot of good to my tool set.”

Which other draft picks have Diamondbacks signed?

– RHP Patrick Forbes (No. 29 overall): signed for $3 million, below the slot value of $3,191,100.

– RHP Brian Curley (No. 92): signed for $700,000, below the slot value of $839,100.

– RHP Dean Livingston (No. 123): signed for $1 million, below the slot value of $611,300.

Related

Diamondbacks dominate Cardinals for much-needed sweep to show their pulseD-backs GM Mike Hazen leaves door open for team to be buyers at trade deadlineWho have the D-backs selected in the 2025 MLB Draft?Ketel Marte at casino for hours Friday night while Diamondbacks hosted RedsDiamondbacks tune out noise for dominant all-around win over RedsDiamondbacks injury return tracker: Corbin Burnes begins facing hitters again