The Atlanta Braves are the team of choice in Richmond Hill but it is now acceptable to wear the green and gold of the Oakland Athletics thanks to Jackson Finley. The local favored son confirmed via a text message he had signed with the A’s after being drafted by them in the eighth round.
Finley, who had an outstanding season at Georgia Tech, had two years eligibility remaining with the Yellow Jackets but he also had earned his degree and with that in hand he elected to follow his dream of being a professional baseball player.
“Sorry I haven’t been in touch,” Finley said of a delay in responding to earlier phone and text messages. “I have been slammed with my new job!
“To answer your question( s) I did sign with the A’s so I am official. Right now, I am in {Phoenix} Arizona for mini-camp at their spring training complex.
It has been a big change and I have been very busy. I am at the field as we speak and spend most of my day at the complex.”
Finley had until 5 p.m. Tuesday to sign with Oakland which will be moving to Las Vegas where it is building a new stadium following the 2024 season.
Per the team’s website Finley received a signing bonus of $180,000. His slot value was $218,300. Of Oakland’s top 10 draft picks six signed for less than their slot value while a pair of high school pitchers were signed for considerably more. First round pick Jason Wilson, a shortstop out of Grand Canyon University, signed for $5,500,000 despite a slot value of $6,634,000. Third-round selection Steve Echavarria, from Milburn, N.J., High School got $3,000,000 with a slot value of $1,045,000. California high schooler Cole Miller got $1,000,000 with a fourth-round value of $653,300.
Oakland, which currently has the worst record in major league baseball, has a reputation for thriftiness. It’s $34,000,000 payroll is the lowest in the majors.
Not only is Finley getting an introduction to the rigors and expectations associated with professional baseball but he is also getting a taste of the weather in Phoenix where temperatures exceed 100 degrees on a daily basis. The temperature on Monday was 113 and is expected to peak at 116 on Wednesday before dropping to 110 on Friday.
Finley and his fellow draftees along with any signed free agents will more than likely be assigned to the Arizona Complex League Athletics which is a short season league.