Indians sign top 2 draft picks

Indians sign top 2 draft picks

Published Jun. 15, 2012 9:44 p.m. ET

CLEVELAND (AP) -- The Cleveland Indians have signed Texas A&M outfielder Tyler Naquin, the club's first-round draft pick.

Naquin, the 15th overall selection, batted .380 for the Aggies last season as a junior with three homers and 49 RBIs in 61 games. The 21-year-old left-handed hitter finished his career with a .348 average and 112 RBIs in 187 games.

The Indians also signed right-hander Mitch Brown, their second-round pick. The 18-year-old from Rochester, Minn., went 7-1 with a 0.91 ERA last season.

Indians scouting director Brad Grant said Naquin will report to Mahoning Valley (Class A), and Brown will join the Indians' rookie team in Arizona.

Grant was pleased the team was able to sign the top picks so quickly, which will allow the two players to have a complete summer of baseball.

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