Chicago Cubs sign 6th-round pick HS RHP Dylan Cease

Aug 24, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; American pitcher Dylan Cease (7) delivers a pitch during the 2013 Under Armour All-American Baseball game at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Reid Compton-USA TODAY Sports

The Chicago Cubs have signed sixth-round draft pick Dylan Cease to a contract with a $1.5 million bonus, reports MLB.com’s Jim Callis.

The right-handed pitcher from Milton HS (GA) suffered an elbow injury – a partial UCL tear – this spring and elected not to have Tommy John surgery, but the injury caused him to drop in the draft. He was 11-1 with an 0.58 ERA his senior year.

Cease was committed to Vanderbilt University, who won the 2014 College World Series.

Cease’s fastball was clocked at 91-95 mph, hitting 97 mph at times, according to MLB.com’s scouting report. At 6-foot 1-inch, 175 pounds, he generates velocity with his athleticism and arm speed.

Cease pitched in the Under Armour showcase in August at Wrigley Field, which showcases 36 of the best prep players in the country.

Callis also made several notes about Cease and the Cubs’ draft as a whole, including that he will have Tommy John surgery on July 22.

Cease's $1.5 mil bonus is fourth-highest ever for 6th-rder, most since restrictive draft rules came into play in 2012. @MLBDraft @Cubs
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 4, 2014

Nice @MLBDraft for @Cubs, get best college bat in Schwarber at 4, use savings to land Sands ($1.1 mil), Steele ($1 mil), Cease ($1.5 mil).
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 4, 2014

As of now, Cease ties for 34th-highest bonus in 2014 @MLBDraft at $1.5 mil despite impending TJ. Tied for 11th among HS P this year. @Cubs
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 4, 2014

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