Colorado Rockies 3B Tyler Nevin signs, looks forward to life in professional baseball

DENVER -- The Rockies have signed third baseman Tyler Nevin, the No. 38 overall pick in the 2015 draft, the team announced Thursday.

"I've always wanted to play baseball, that's the only thing I've seen myself do, and I've got a great opportunity to start my career here and I plan to take advantage of it," Nevin said.

Nevin, the Rockies pick in Competitive Balance Round A and a product of Poway (Calif.) high school, signed for a bonus of $2 million, according to MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo.

Bonus for Tyler Nevin w/@Rockies = $2 mil (pick 38 = $1,626,500). Phil's kid can hit, play 3b, +makeup @mlbdraft http://t.co/1njyh4rQ8A

— Jonathan Mayo (@JonathanMayo) June 19, 2015

Nevin is the son of Phil Nevin, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1992 draft who played 12 big league seasons, mostly with San Diego. Tyler said he learned about the grind of the minor leagues not so much from his dad, but from the players the elder Nevin now coaches with the Reno Aces, the Triple-A affiliate of the Diamondbacks.

"He didn't spend too much time in the minor leagues," Nevin said. "But now he's coaching in the minor leagues and I've seen firsthand guys that have spent five, six, seven, eight years in the minor leagues working their way to the big leagues and I'm ready for it."

"This is all I've wanted to do."

Nevin is listed at 6'4, 200 pounds, but said he plans to add some muscle as he embarks on his professional career.

"I've got a frame to fill out," Nevin said. "Bulking up will be happening in the offseason, but during the season I'm staying in shape, getting stronger every day and playing each day."

Despie his status as a high draft pick and his heritage, Nevin said he does not feel any added pressure on himself and that his goal is to be the best player he can.

"As a hitter, I'm just being the best Tyler Nevin I can be day in, day out, whether that's hitting 40 homers in the majors or if it's hitting 20 it doesn't matter to me," Nevin said.

Nevin will report to the Rockies' Pioneer League affiliate in Grand Junction, where he will join fellow top picks Brendan Rodgers (No. 3 overall) and Mike Nikorak (No. 27 overall). Nevin said the plan is for him to play next to Rodgers at third base and that he has plenty of experience swinging a wood bat.

"Every summer since eighth grade, going into freshman year, I've been swinging a wood bat," Nevin said. "The only time I've been swinging BBCOR is in high school season."

"I'm very fortunate, it's a great hitters' organization and I'm happy to be part of it," Nevin said.