Kyle Martin off to good start with Phillies

Kyle Martin hit a home run this week at the plate and in contract negotiations.

The former South Carolina first baseman, a fourth round draft pick by Philadephia, signed a deal that included a $200,000 signing bonus, MLB.com senior writer Jim Callis reported Tuesday.

“One of better senior bonuses so far,” Callis said via Twitter.

Martin on Tuesday homered in his first at-bat in a simulated game in Clearwater, Fla., reported Todd Zolecki, Phillies beat writer for MLB.com.

Martin turned down a 20th-round selection from the Angels last season in order to return to USC and up his stock; after a career year, he improved 16 rounds.

The slot money for his spot in the draft was just under $500,000. Since Martin was a senior with nowhere else to go, had to negotiate a lower signing bonus.

The strongman slugger was named first-team all-SEC and a second-team All-American by Collegiate Baseball after hitting .350 with 14 home runs and 56 RBIs.