How are they treated differently?
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I asked a pro scout whether the draft round (direct relation to bonus money) matters in terms of opportunities given and was told, absolutely yes. The less the organization has invested in the player the easier it is to let that player go. One could argue the bonus paid is a sunk cost and should not affect future decisions regarding player development, but organizational politics and pride come into play here.
It's more than orgainizational pride and politics. Give the scouts their due for picking great players, who BTW have been seen and seen again by men who have some experience evaluating... and believe in their abilty to project.
What do you consider the cut off point for "bonus babies" vs roster fillers? top 5 rounds, top 10 rounds?
from my experience, your not really treated any different other than just knowing more people in the organization and guaranteed a starting job pretty much. Now its also an advantage since you generally know more higher ups in the organization. But that only lasts until everyone else meets them. So ya them having enough money invested in you helps. BUT generally the players only consider bonus babies anyone that was in the first two rounds or signed for top 2 round money.From there on down you wont get called a bonus baby unless you say somethin about not having any money.Then you could be in trouble. Thats just my view on the subject.
....nice post AHSpitcher17
Thanks for the responses. Another question:
With more money, are they able to buy advantages? Such as living by themselves without a noisy roomate, eating better food, not having to worry game to game that they might get released?
With more money, are they able to buy advantages? Such as living by themselves without a noisy roomate, eating better food, not having to worry game to game that they might get released?
Well you could benefit by living by yourself, but that would be extremely boring, i room with our 2nd rounder, and its good to have a roomate, less work for you to do and its still cheaper, no point in wasting money, no matter how much you have.
When making inquiries about this subject during my son's highschool days, I was told the following generalities by a minor league coach:
1. A first round pick will be given EVERY opportunity to reach the big leagues.
2. A first round pick will have to prove that he CANNOT play ball at the big league level while a lower round pick will have to prove that he CAN!
OPP
1. A first round pick will be given EVERY opportunity to reach the big leagues.
2. A first round pick will have to prove that he CANNOT play ball at the big league level while a lower round pick will have to prove that he CAN!
OPP
One LHP drafted 3rd overall 4 years ago still in the minors.
Another drafted a year later early in the 1st round has been playing 2 years as a ML starter.
Heard a scout talking about the 1st guy and they were concerned about his ability at the ML level.
Another drafted a year later early in the 1st round has been playing 2 years as a ML starter.
Heard a scout talking about the 1st guy and they were concerned about his ability at the ML level.
Tbirds, one humorous observation about high round vs. low round picks. Last summer, I was staying in Peoria, AZ., at the same hotel as all the Rookie league players for one of the American League clubs. After eating the complimentary hotel breakfast, they all went out to their cars to head over to the field.
Five guys piled into a Toyota Corolla. One in each front seat, three in the back. The sixth guy walked over to his brand new, shiny black Escalade with 20" rims and deep tined glass, and drove over by himself. You go figure out which one was enjoying the benefit of being an early round pick.
Five guys piled into a Toyota Corolla. One in each front seat, three in the back. The sixth guy walked over to his brand new, shiny black Escalade with 20" rims and deep tined glass, and drove over by himself. You go figure out which one was enjoying the benefit of being an early round pick.
I think another thing about the higher round COLLEGE picks (read 'bonus babies')... quite often they start at a higher level than the high round high school picks or the lower round college picks.
And an additional anecdote about a high round pick and his living accommodations ... while kids like my son and his teammates in the California league were sharing houses with 5 and 6 other players, the Angels' 2004 first round pick, Jared Weaver, bought a condo near the field to live in. And I am sure he was driving a better car than my son and daughter-in-law's 2001 Saturn
And an additional anecdote about a high round pick and his living accommodations ... while kids like my son and his teammates in the California league were sharing houses with 5 and 6 other players, the Angels' 2004 first round pick, Jared Weaver, bought a condo near the field to live in. And I am sure he was driving a better car than my son and daughter-in-law's 2001 Saturn
Funny stories. I would wonder or not those first round picks feel any guilt when they see themselves living in such comfort and then seeing their peers piling five to a sedan.
quote:Originally posted by tbirds:
Funny stories. I would wonder or not those first round picks feel any guilt when they see themselves living in such comfort and then seeing their peers piling five to a sedan.
Why should they feel guilty? They worked hard and now being rewarded for it. Isn't this what they all wish for?
I could see some humility, but not guilt.
JMO
I'm wondering why nobody got in the Escalade with the other guy. Maybe he's a jerk?
If you work hard and make millions of dollars, but then see homeless people begging for food in the street, do you still feel guilty even if you deserve your money?
Same idea to the extreme.
Same idea to the extreme.
quote:Originally posted by wvmtner:
I'm wondering why nobody got in the Escalade with the other guy. Maybe he's a jerk?
Mine would have been in the Escalade, jerk or not!
tbirds,
ONe shouldn't feel guilty, but feel compassion. There is a difference.
For the most part, the money does not seem to change players, from my son's experience. Of all the players my son has contacted, only one has ever even mentioned his contract/bonus. One of the nicest/most generous of all the players was a #1 pick. Got tons of promotional gloves, shoes, etc and was looking to give it to players who did not get similar treatment.
While it is true that the "bonus babies" are provided every chance to succeed, they are also under a tremendous amount of pressure to perform. That should never be underestimated. Players who get drafted are very competitive and are used to succeeding. None of them react well when they enounter "failure" whether they are a "bonus baby" or "filler." If you have received a huge "signing bonus" your failures get a lot more publicity and the "expectations" within the organization are far higher.
While it is true that the "bonus babies" are provided every chance to succeed, they are also under a tremendous amount of pressure to perform. That should never be underestimated. Players who get drafted are very competitive and are used to succeeding. None of them react well when they enounter "failure" whether they are a "bonus baby" or "filler." If you have received a huge "signing bonus" your failures get a lot more publicity and the "expectations" within the organization are far higher.
Tigerpawmom
Heck yeah! Unless the bonus baby wouldn't let them ride in the Escalade, I'm wondering how smart the other five were for packing in the little car.
Heck yeah! Unless the bonus baby wouldn't let them ride in the Escalade, I'm wondering how smart the other five were for packing in the little car.
Packing into that little car is part of the "joys" of the minor leagues. My son and two teammates purchased a 1991 "Red Rocket" with 300,000 miles when they arrived in Lansing. Split 3 ways with insurance, the total cost was about $300 per person for the season. As he describes it, when they had 4-5 people in it, you felt pretty cool. 
When you were driving it alone, "cool" was the opposite end of the spectrum. 
Even with other options, a lot of his teammates loved the choice of being in the "Rocket." The "Rocket" gave them a bit of "celebrity" so to speak. 
When you were driving it alone, "cool" was the opposite end of the spectrum. Even with other options, a lot of his teammates loved the choice of being in the "Rocket." The "Rocket" gave them a bit of "celebrity" so to speak.
My son and some teammates used bikes to get around. They were known to every one a the "Bike brigade" They donated the bikes at the end of the season which were raffled off and raised about $900. toward the new ball park
They donated the bikes at the end of the season which were raffled off and raised about $900. toward the new ball park
During his Gulf Coast League season(lowest level), my son had his 4 door pick-up and quickly became the source for rides and "loaner" vehicle.
The next season(Low A, Hickory) son had decided that his new ride was not practical since the organization required players to bus from spring training and cost of shipping was just too big of a bite out of a $950/month salary... he left his truck in Texas, planning to do without wheels for a season.
After his second day without wheels... he spent $1250(out of signing bonus) to buy an orange '84 VW! The VW was soon granted the premier parking place at the clubhouse- directly in front of the entry. The VW ran great all season, hardly anyone wanted to borrow wheels without airconditioning
and he ended up selling it at the end of the season for $400 more than he bought it for!!!
If this baseball thing doesn't work out, he may have a future as a used car guy.
OPP
The next season(Low A, Hickory) son had decided that his new ride was not practical since the organization required players to bus from spring training and cost of shipping was just too big of a bite out of a $950/month salary... he left his truck in Texas, planning to do without wheels for a season.
After his second day without wheels... he spent $1250(out of signing bonus) to buy an orange '84 VW! The VW was soon granted the premier parking place at the clubhouse- directly in front of the entry. The VW ran great all season, hardly anyone wanted to borrow wheels without airconditioning
and he ended up selling it at the end of the season for $400 more than he bought it for!!!If this baseball thing doesn't work out, he may have a future as a used car guy.
OPP
quote:Originally posted by AHSpitcher17:
no point in wasting money, no matter how much you have.
That kind of talk makes my Scottish heart go mushy. Bullwinkle loves this Scottish Proverb.
"Money is flat and was meant to be piled up."
Infielddad
I think those little delinquents cut me off one day last summer! I got a picture of them though. BTW, you get better mileage without the snow tires.
OPP, Imagine how much he cudda got if he signed the fender.
I think those little delinquents cut me off one day last summer! I got a picture of them though. BTW, you get better mileage without the snow tires.
quote:The VW ran great all season, hardly anyone wanted to borrow wheels without airconditioning and he ended up selling it at the end of the season for $400 more than he bought it for!!!
OPP, Imagine how much he cudda got if he signed the fender.
This is too funny and hits home. My son insisted we keep his first car, a 1995 dolphin green Nissan Sentra, known around town as the green machine.
He says if he gets drafted he is going to use some signing money to fix it up! It was his learning car and certainly does need it!
The only problem is the tree is now gone that it was parked under, just too bad it fell away from the car instead of towrds it during Wilma!
He says if he gets drafted he is going to use some signing money to fix it up! It was his learning car and certainly does need it!
The only problem is the tree is now gone that it was parked under, just too bad it fell away from the car instead of towrds it during Wilma!
quote:I think those little delinquents cut me off one day last summer! I got a picture of them though. BTW, you get better mileage without the snow tires.
Dad 04, Should have seen it before my son used his "signing bonus" to fix it up.
Actually, that cannot be the "Rocket" for at least two reasons: no Lugnut decals holding the bumpers/fenders to the body and there is no possible way the "Rocket" could make it from Lansing to Fla. Have to admit, though, the mismatched tires and one snow tire created some initial confusion.
I feel better that wasn't infielder cutting me off. At least in Lansing he'll be close to spare parts.
I bet the guys on MTV's "Pimp My Ride" could do some nice things with that one....lol.
infielddad ...
That struck me as funny, because my cynical nature finished the sentence with ..."if they were jerks to start with, they are still jerks."
But I concur with you ... based on our son's comments during the season ... for the most part the players' basic personalities don't change no matter the signing $$.
quote:For the most part, the money does not seem to change players ...
That struck me as funny, because my cynical nature finished the sentence with ..."if they were jerks to start with, they are still jerks."
But I concur with you ... based on our son's comments during the season ... for the most part the players' basic personalities don't change no matter the signing $$.
TPM
I found a new 1995 green Sentra for him. It will probably still be available after the draft....2007.
Sweet Ride!
I found a new 1995 green Sentra for him. It will probably still be available after the draft....2007.
Sweet Ride!
quote:I feel better that wasn't infielder cutting me off. At least in Lansing he'll be close to spare parts.
Dad04, we are really hoping for Dunedin come April. I'll send you an "All Points Bulletin" if they find another "Red Rocket." Can you keep that snow tire handy just in case?
Or maybe I should send them to your house. From those photos it looks like you might be sellin' the type of car these guys are buyin'.
I got out of the car bidniss long ago. The infielder is welcome anytime. We are hoping the Cajuns 2004 Friday night guy is in Lakeland in April.
Green Machine
without the dings! Cool!
I think he was thinking more like "pimp my ride" kind of fixin' up!
without the dings! Cool!
I think he was thinking more like "pimp my ride" kind of fixin' up!