[autotag]Mason Barnett[/autotag] becomes the fourth member of the 2022 Auburn Baseball roster to sign his rookie contract, as he has agreed to terms given by the Kansas City Royals, the club that drafted him with the 87th overall selection in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
According to Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline, Barnett has agreed to a rookie contract worth $697,500, which is just over $27,000 below slot value.
In three seasons at Auburn, Barnett posted a 5-7 record over 40 appearances with 21 starts. He made his most appearances during the 2022 season, where he started 14 games on the mound in a weekend-starter role.
In 63.2 innings pitched in 2022, Barnett struck out 87 batters while boasting a 4.38 ERA, and an opponent average of .256.
Barnett joins Blake Burkhalter (Braves), Sonny DiChiara (Angels), and Blake Rambusch (Mariners), as former Tigers to sign their professional contracts. Four more Tigers have yet to agree to terms with the organizations that drafted them. The next deal expected to be reported is for Brody Moore, who has penned a farewell tweet to Auburn fans after reportedly agreeing to terms with the St. Louis Cardinals.
3rd-rder Mason Barnett signs with @Royals for $697,500 (slot 87 value = $724,600). @AuburnBaseball RHP, inconsistent but can show two plus pitches (93-98 mph fastball, mid-80s slider) and two solid offerings (curveball, changeup). @MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/7Di7wRGShR
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 26, 2022
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