The Cleveland Guardians are getting their young players locked in for the future.
Outfielder Aaron Walton is now officially a part of the organization, just one week after being taken in the second round of the 2025 MLB Draft.
The deal is worth $1.1 million, according to Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com.
Supplemental 2nd-rd @MLBDraft pick Aaron Walton signs w/@CleGuardians for $1.1 mil (pick 66 value = $1,320,400). @ArizonaBaseball OFer had transferred from @SamfordBaseball, cut down on swing/miss, still got to pop, can run/play CF. Harrison Bader comp? pic.twitter.com/41m87YHDZX
— Jonathan Mayo (@JonathanMayo) July 23, 2025
As the No. 66 overall pick and a supplementary selection, he came with a bonus slot value of $1.3 million.
Walton established himself as a force at Arizona last season, which was his only season with the program after beginning his collegiate career at Samford.
He started all 65 games in center field and hit .320 with 14 home runs, 22 doubles and 49 RBIs while also drawing 31 walks and 24 HBP, which is the second-most in a single season in program history.
Walton turned heads with his athleticism and home run-robbing plays.
He only made two errors and had two of the most impressive catches in all of college baseball last season.
Notably, he’s the second Arizona player the Guardians have selected in the MLB Draft in as many years, along with pitcher Cam Walty in the 20th round last season.
Walton has drawn comparisons to MLB veteran Harrison Bader, and given the Guardians’ glaring needs in the outfield, it’ll be interesting to watch his development.
NEXT: Analyst Reveals Expectations For Guardians Ahead Of Trade Deadline
