By Scott Barancik, Editor

Two undrafted collegians have signed contracts with MLB teams.

Matt Mervis (1B/P) signed with the Chicago Cubs

Matt Mervis of Duke University was picked up by the Chicago Cubs this month. A two-way ballplayer who bats left but throws right, Mervis was co-captain of the Blue Devils during the abbreviated 2020 season, hitting .304 while leading the team in hits, home runs and total bases. The 6-foot-4 Maryland native turned heads last year in the Cape Cod league, which unlike collegiate ball uses wood bats. There, Mervis hit .325 with 4 home runs and 24 RBIs in just 77 at-bats, and from the mound he went 1-2 with a save and a 3.24 ERA.

Also signing a deal this month was University of Washington reliever Leo Nierenberg. A 6-foot-tall reliever who was picked up by the Cincinnati Reds, Nierenberg saw little action during the shortened 2020 season but went 3-1 with a 6.84 ERA as a junior, striking out 33 batters across 25 innings.

Leo Nierenberg (P) signed with the Cincinnati Reds

Mervis and Nierenberg both received $20,000 signing bonuses, the flat rate paid to all undrafted signees in 2020. Because of the COVID pandemic and related financial and labor issues, it’s unlikely they or any other minor leaguers will see any action this year.

Jared Shuster, a left-handed pitcher chosen by the Atlanta Braves in the first round of this year’s five-round amateur draft (see article), recently finalized a contract that includes a $2.2-million signing bonus.

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