Missouri's Crow, Royals reach contract agreement
KANSAS CITY — The Kansas City Royals agreed to a three-year major league contract with former Missouri pitcher and first-round draft pick Aaron Crow on Thursday.
Crow, a hard-throwing right-hander, is guaranteed $3 million even if he doesn't reach the majors under the deal that begins next season. He would earn about $4.5 million if he makes it to the big leagues.
Crow, selected 12th, was not subject to the draft signing deadline because he exhausted his college eligibility at Missouri. He was among just two first-round picks who failed to sign last year, when he was drafted ninth by the Nationals.
Crow, a Wakarusa, Kan., native, went 13-0 with a 2.35 ERA and 127 strikeouts when he was selected Big 12 pitcher of the year in 2008. He played for an independent league team in each of the past two seasons.