It is obvious this can be debated until the cows jump over the moon. When it comes down to it, this is a decision made with parent and son, you gather information and then try to help them make an intelligent decision. And some do take the small bonus, just to go play the real thing, some turn down exceptional money to go to school. It was THEIR choice.
Many parents may have influence over their son's deciding to go to college, just as many have influence of their son going pro. Signing bonus's that amount to a fair amount are often taken because the family needs the money. In a few years the money could be gone, and if their is no success in pro ball one must begin their education (we all know not too many take advantage of the program while playing, because they are working), now they have to go to school and still work.
If a player was offerd 650K as a bonus, turns it down and goes to school then gets signed with a bonus of 50K, that was HIS choice. He is still going to get to play pro ball, if that is what he really wanted. We are not to say it was right or wrong. To some the money may not even be an issue.
Interesting, while shopping for a car today the manager of the store told me his best friend was drafted out of HS, real nice bonus, no huge success, regrets to this day he never went to college first. The same scenerio, money is gone, has to work and go to school. Speaking to a gentleman the other day who went to college, has an olympic GM, played 5 years pro. Does it make him a better person because he can tell his grand kids he played pro ball, no. His neighbors don't even know he has a GM or made decent money playing ball. He only knows he is making nice money now, can support his family in a nice lifestyle and still is the same person whether he went to play pro ball or not.
Interesting article this week's SI comparing two Josh's, Beckett and Hamilton. Hamilton it is assumed has been suspended from ball due to obvious drug problems. This kid got a great signing bonus, doesn't seem to have made his life that much easier or happier. The both had exceptional talent, just, IMO anything can happen. Some of us may say at least he got a nice bonus, some of us may say $$$ doesn't always bring happiness.
To debate this issue is great, to make one feel that their opinion is less than another's is wrong, you all get the idea.