The Detroit Tigers signed sixth round pick Cooper Johnson to a full-slot bonus on Monday evening, according to MLB.com’s Jim Callis. Johnson, a catcher from Ole Miss, is regarded as one of the top defenders in the draft. He projects as a below-average hitter, but has some raw power the Tigers are hoping he taps into at the professional level.
Johnson is the fifth Tigers draft pick in the top 10 rounds to sign his professional contract. Eighth rounder Jack Kenley, a shortstop from Arkansas, just concluded his season on Monday, while the others were eliminated in NCAA tournament play.