With Dunning deal done, Nats have signed top 19 draft picks

By Mark Zuckerman

Nationals

July 01, 2016, 2:13pm

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The Nationals announced the signing of pitcher Dane Dunning, the second of their two first-round picks, the final significant member of this year's draft class that had yet to come to terms.

Dunning received a $2 million signing bonus, according to a club source, which is just below slot value for the 29th selection in this year's draft.

A 6-foot-4 right-hander from the University of Florida, Dunning held off signing until now in part because he was still pitching for the Gators in the College World Series. He went 6-3 with a 2.29 ERA, 88 strikeouts and 12 walks in 33 games (28 of those out of the bullpen); the Nats plan to use him as a starter once he begins pitching in their farm system.

Dunning joins fellow first-round pick Carter Kieboom (selected just above him at No. 28) as the two newest front-end prospects in the organization. Kieboom, a high school shortstop from Georgia, signed shortly after last month's draft, also for $2 million.

The Nationals also announced the signing of 12th-round pick Hayden Howard, a left-hander from Texas Tech. That means all of their top 19 picks in the year's draft have come to terms.