Indians sign LHP Drew Pomeranz, No. 5 pick in draft, with $2.65 million bonus

Indians sign LHP Pomeranz, No. 5 pick in draft

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians have agreed to a contract with pitcher Drew Pomeranz, giving the No. 5 overall draft pick a $2.65 million signing bonus.

The sides finished the deal just before Monday’s midnight EDT deadline.

Pomeranz, a 6-foot-5 left-hander out of Mississippi, was the Southeastern Conference pitcher of the year last season, going 9-2 with a 2.24 ERA in 16 starts. He struck out 139 in 102 2-3 innings and ended his college career as the Rebels’ leader in strikeouts.

The Indians also signed right-hander Kyle Blair, their fourth-round pick in this year’s draft, and local star catcher Alex Lavisky.

Blair was the 120th overall pick. He was 8-4 with a 2.54 ERA last season at San Diego. The Los Angeles Dodgers took him in the fifth round in 2007, but he decided to go to college.

An eighth-round pick, Lavisky played at Lakewood St. Edward High School, where he helped lead the Eagles to a state title this season with pitcher Stetson Allie, the No. 52 overall pick who signed with Pittsburgh on Monday.