Report: Malm signs for highest bonus in fifth round

After agreeing in principle to contract terms Thursday, former Bishop Gorman first baseman/pitcher Jeff Malm signed with the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday, the Rays announced.

Baseball America reported Sunday that Malm received a signing bonus of $680,000, which would be the highest bonus given to any fifth-round draft choice.

Malm, who opted to sign a professional contract rather than fulfill his college commitment to Southern California, was the No. 169 overall pick in the draft. The Nos. 168 and 170 picks, the Red Sox's Seth Schwindenhammer and the Cubs' Wes Darvill, received bonuses between $140,000 and $142,200, according to Baseball America.

Malm, the Louisville Slugger National Player of the Year and the Review-Journal's State Player of the Year, hit .564 with 17 home runs and 69 RBIs this season to lead Gorman (40-4) to its fourth straight Class 4A state title.