There was only one New Jersey high school senior taken in the 2023 MLB Draft this week and there was no question that he was the state’s most dominant arm. Millburn RHP Steven Echavarria heard his name called early on Day 2 when he was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the third round with the 72nd overall pick. On July 17, Echavarria signed with Oakland for a $3 million signing bonus. The 72nd pick had a slot value of just over $1 million dollars making Echavarria’s new pro contract the highest “over slot” value to this point in the 2023 MLB Draft.
3rd-rder Steven Echavarria signs w/@Athletics for $3 mil (pick 72 value = $1,005,700). Biggest overslot deal so far this year, I believe. NJ HS RHP, mid-90s fastball reaches 98 mph w/ride, distinct slider & curveball intriguing as well. Florida recruit. @MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/fwUCnQjZT8
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 17, 2023
Echavarria’s path to becoming a Top-75 pick in this year’s amateur draft was filled with self-reflection, hours of tireless work and a bunch of overpowering strikeouts.
JSZ’s Jay Cook profiled Echavarria in Millburn shortly after the MLB Draft:
JSZ’s Full 2023 MLB Draft Coverage
New Jersey baseball once again sent a number of homegrown talent to Major League Baseball. From Sunday night all the way through Tuesday afternoon, we spotlighted every single Garden State player taken in the 2023 MLB Draft. Hit the link HERE for our entire coverage of the big weekend!