The Toronto Blue Jays used a speculative 12th-round pick on a high school shortstop with concerns about signability. They signed him. It just took an MLB record to do so. The bonus the Blue Jays paid to Blaine Bullard is the highest for any 12th-round pick in league history. Bullard will get $1,697,500 to sign with Toronto.

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The Blue Jays woke up on Monday in first place in the American League East, preparing to defend that honour with another three-game series against the New York Yankees. And as crazy as it sounds, retaining that placing could be the least of their goals, given their recent surging success.

This story was excerpted from Keegan Matheson’s Blue Jays Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Addison Barger hit a two-run home run, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer added hit solo shots and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the San Francisco Giants 8-6 to complete a three-game sweep and match a franchise record with their 10th consecutive home win.

The Toronto Blue Jays are proving to be the team to beat in the American League right now. Heading into Sunday, the team has a 57-41 record, and they lead the AL East division by a healthy 3.0 games.