The Cincinnati Reds' discounted signing of their top pick frees flexibility to make strong bids on tougher-to-sign picks deep in the draft.

NEW YORK — The Cincinnati Reds announced the signing of first-round pick Steele Hall on Friday. Hall, who will turn 18 on July 24, received a signing bonus of $5.75 million, about three-quarters of a million less than the slot value of the team’s No. 9 pick, team sources confirmed.

Former Hewitt-Trussville star Steele Hall is officially a major league baseball player. The Cincinnati Reds announced Friday they had signed the No. 9 overall pick. He signed for $5.75 million, according to MLB.com.