Cody Buckel Cody Buckel just got paid.

The Royal High graduate, who helped lead the Highlander baseball team to the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 semifinals in the spring, has inked a contract with the Texas Rangers.

Texas selected Buckel, a hardthrowing right-handed pitcher, in the second round, pick No. 72, during June’s Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.

Various media outlets have reported that Buckel received a $590,000 signing bonus as part of the deal.

Buckel had committed to play at Pepperdine University, but is instead expected to begin his professional career in the Arizona Rookie League.

For last season’s Marmonte League champions, Buckel posted a 12-1 record from the mound with a 0.61 ERA and eight complete games. He had 123 strikeouts in 80 innings, with a mere 17 walks.

Opposing batters hit only .132 against Royal’s ace.

Although he put up outstanding offensive numbers as well, including six home runs, Buckel projects as a pitcher in the minors.