Colin Moran signs with Marlins for $3.5 million

North Carolina third baseman Colin Moran, the sixth overall pick in baseball's amateur draft, finalized an agreement with the Miami Marlins before Friday's deadline.

Moran agreed to a signing bonus of $3,516,500, which was the slot value assigned to the selection.

A native of Rye, N.Y., Moran hit .345 with 13 homers and an NCAA-high 91 RBIs as a junior for the Tar Heels, who lost to UCLA in the semifinal of the College World Series.

''We haven't had a long-term third baseman since Mike Lowell left us and we've been searching for that person,'' Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest said during a news conference Friday. ''Hopefully, that ends right here with you Colin. We can't wait for you to assume that role and become our everyday third baseman and that journey starts today.''

Moran, a nephew of former big leaguer B.J. Surhoff, is expected to begin his professional career with Class A Greensboro on Monday.

''I'm extremely anxious,'' Moran said. ''It was nice to get a little break, but it got a little boring towards the end, not having a field to go to every day. I'm definitely excited to get started here.''

Moran is part of a young core of players within the organization during a rebuilding process that saw the Marlins trade stars and slash payroll.

''You can definitely tell from following the team for a while they're headed in the right direction, and I'm excited to be a part of it,'' Moran said.

Beinfest said that the 20-year old will be at major league spring training next year.

''It's great to have him here, now it's up to him to go play baseball,'' Beinfest said.

The Marlins signed 29 of their 42 selections. Third-round pick Ben Deluzio, an infielder from Windermere, Fla., taken with the 80th selection, did not sign and plans to attend Florida State.