@keewart posted:I'll take a stab, but more old timers should weigh in.
Why a junior would take a UFA now rather than wait:
1) He will be a year older next year. This really does make a difference in pro ball.
2) There will be only (up to) 20 rounds next year.
3) Next year he will be competing with a new crop of high school players, the rising juniors, corona juniors, seniors, and 5th year seniors.
4) He will have the MLB scholarship (reimbursement program) for his final year, if that expense could be an issue.
5) Injury could always happen.
6) Better coaching at the milb level than college. (?)
7) "A bird in the hand...."
Great points here. I was going to highlight a few, but all are good. #1 (age is pro ball) is truly a key reason. There's just so much unknown ahead; pools could be smaller ($$) to in 2021 based on financial losses this year. The draft could very well be 20 rounds, but maybe their will be "slots" for 20 rounds instead of this year's 5 and last year's 10 rounds.