The Cleveland Guardians did not agree to terms with LSU signee Logan Schmidt on draft day, LouisianaSports.net has learned.
They may not have enough money to sign the talented southpaw. But LSU is not the only other option.
Cleveland entered the MLB Draft with $9,303,700 in slotted money for the first 10 rounds. That ranked 21st in baseball. Nine of those first 10 picks have been signed by an overage of $346,240. Seventh round pick Savion Sims signed for $1,000,000 at a slot value of $280,900 which cost Cleveland $719,100 against its pool.
Schmidt’s slot value at No. 59 overall is $1,598,900.
Because MLB organizations are allowed to overpay their bonus pool by five percent at a taxed rate, the maximum Cleveland could spend on Schmidt is $1,717,885. Rumors are beginning to swirl that may not be enough to ink Schmidt to a professional deal. Cleveland doesn’t have any further resources to negotiate with. It’s the $1.7 million or nothing. Schmidt can still negotiate with LSU.
Sources tell LouisianaSports.net that Schmidt is unlikely to accept the offer from Cleveland prior to Monday’s deadline but is considering junior college so he could re-enter the draft next summer. One of the youngest players in the draft class, Schmidt turned 18 this month and would not be draft eligible until 2029 if he enrolled at LSU.
If Schmidt does not sign, Cleveland forfeits his slot value but does receive the 60th overall pick in next summer’s draft. Players selected in the top 10 rounds sign at a rate over 98 percent.
Guardians take lefty Logan Schmidt at 59, who is also 59 on the Over-Slot board!
Mid-90s velo, starter's body, two breaker shapes. A lot of material.
PROFILE👇pic.twitter.com/e8KjqJGiLp
— Over-Slot Baseball (@OverSlot_) July 11, 2026
Schmidt is a physical 6-foot-4 left-hander with a fastball that can touch the mid to high 90s. He’s also got a sharp slider. If he ends up on campus, he would be the most highly ranked prospect to get to LSU in a loaded 2026 signing class.
