Gavin Kilen, the Giants' first-round pick, signed for $5,247,500, below the slot value of $5,524,300 for the 13th pick. Kilen is regarded as one of the top pure hitters in the draft class, with a collegiate batting average of .323 and a standout .357 in 2025. He mostly played second base this year, and was highly rated by various pre-draft scouts. The Giants managed to allocate their budget effectively, allowing them to sign multiple players while saving funds through below-slot deals.
Kilen is recognized as one of the best pure hitters in the class, boasting a .323/.381/.554 batting line over three college seasons, with a standout .357/.441/.671 performance in 2025.
The Giants were able to maneuver their draft bonuses effectively, having saved around $300K by signing Kilen below slot value, which contributed to signing other players above slot.
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