Former Tennessee RHP Blade Tidwell has officially put pen to paper and signed his rookie contract with the New York Mets.
According to MLB.com’s Jim Callis, Tidwell signed with the Mets for 1.85-million-dollars. Tidwell’s $1.85 million is a good chunk above the value for the No. 52 slot, which sits right at $1,475,100.
Tidwell was drafted by the Mets with the No. 52 pick in the second round earlier in July.
“[Right-handed pitcher], sure 1st-rounder if not for shoulder issues earlier in [the] year,” Callis wrote on Twitter. “93-96 MPH fastball to low 99, low-80-s slider to 88 with sweet and depth, promising sinking changeup as well.”
On the day of signing his contract, Tidwell had the chance to visit the Subway Series between the New York Yankees and the New York Mets from Citi Field.
Mets draft picks Nick Morabito, Blade Tidwell and Jacob Reimer are taking in the Subway Series tonight 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Jc3ewna8W7
— SNY (@SNYtv) July 26, 2022
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Blade Tidwell finished his second and final season in Knoxville by improving his ERA from 3.74 in 2021 to 3.00 in 2022. In just 39 innings pitched this season, Tidwell ended the year giving up 31 hits, 13 runs, 11 walks, and 51 strikeouts in 13 game appearances with nine starts.
2nd-rder Blade Tidwell signs with @Mets for $1.85 million (slot 52 value = $1,475,100). @Vol_Baseball RHP, sure 1st-rder if not for shoulder issues earlier in year, 93-96 mph fastball to 99, low-80s slider to 88 with sweep and depth, promising sinking changeup as well. @MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/ckppDmjdGU
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 26, 2022
