Ben McDonald, the Louisiana State pitcher who...

Ben McDonald, the Louisiana State pitcher who was the No. 1 pick in baseball’s amateur draft, signed with the Baltimore Oriole after 10 weeks of negotiations.

The contract runs through the 1991 season and is estimated to be worth a minimum of $900,000, including a signing bonus. Incentive clauses reportedly could increase its worth to $1.1 million.

McDonald will begin his pro career with Frederick of the Class A Carolina League Monday, but the Orioles expect him to pitch for Rochester, their triple-A team, before the end of the season.