Draft year issues

It was an exciting time. It seems like the process took care of itself and things fell into place. He finished very strong his Jr. year in college and I think that raised his draft status. Looking back I don't know if showcases helped that much as we live in a highly populated area and there were always scouts at his outings for many prospects. One thing I was amazed at was how many different kinds of draftees there were. Many came from D1 programs but many were from NAIA, Jucos, Div 2 and three.Many programs were represented, not just the elite college programs. My son was at a mid level D1 program but he was seen there and had 5 kids drafted from his school. There were three in the top 10.If your kid is good they will find you. It is the scouts job and these days they have to be informed and do their job.

Rz1,
Good topic. I think the biggest surprise was the first day of spring practice during my son’s senior year of high school. I always attended practices and since it was the first practice I arrived about 30 minutes early and noticed a congregation of people in the school parking lot. I asked the head coach what was going on and he informed me the scouts had come to see my son. I thought he was joking but he wasn’t. I think there were 12 or 15 at the first practice. It never stopped. I wish I had been more prepared. I felt as if the scouting would start when the games started but it was really non stop from the first day of practice. I (and my son) never had a chance to get organized. I felt as if the pressure got to him with all the questionnaires and interviews.
He had already committed to a college but wanted to play professionally. I did all the negotiations and while it came down to a dollar amount to forgo college, I never revealed that dollar amount but did specify a round. We (the MLB club and I) pretty much agreed to a $$ amount prior to the draft and then it seems as if things changed on their end after the draft. We did have and advisor but the advisor is just that...an advisor. He was drafted in the 5th out of high school but went to college.
He was drafted again after his junior year of college and had an agent in place. His agent did all the negotiations and hammered out the contract. All I had to do this year was sign the contract and Fed Ex it back to the MLB club because my son had not turned 21. As I look back, the negotiations out of high school were a little messy but not any different than most business negotiations. This year was uneventful except .... The contract I signed and “overnighted” to Florida arrived at the Toronto Blue Jay’s office unsealed and empty. In looking back the only thing I would do differently is lick the envelope.
Fungo

rz1

Where your son goes to school, he will have plenty of opportunities to be seen. His focus should be on playing well and having fun.

My son was a late round draft pick out of HS this past June. He was not a prospect until January-6 months before the draft. So I would describe the process as both exciting and overwhelming.

As far as physical preparation, my lifetime SS son was drafted as a RHP so he had very little time to prepare.

Mental preparation? I didnt have time to think, never mind prepare and my son just went about his business for the most part ignoring the whole thing. I sat in front of the computer for those 2 long days in June my son did not!

Advisors? I found having one quite helpful but only because we knew nothing about the process. Our advisor was knowlegable, informative, and honest. But I did meet and speak with many strange characters claiming to be agents/advisors...so my advice would be to beware!

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I did all the negotiations and while it came down to a dollar amount to forgo college, I never revealed that dollar amount but did specify a round.

Fungo-I found this to be the most agonizing part of the process. I constantly felt like...If I say "$blank" I may just sell my kid short...but if I say "$blank" I might just send them away laughing never to return.

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If your kid is good they will find you. It is the scouts job and these days they have to be informed and do their job.

rhpcalmom-I respectfully disagree. My son who's fastball touches 92-93 was unknown until TRhit gave me some sound advice in January before the draft...."get him in front of the right people" I followed his advice and for that I am very glad.

Crollss

I think my situation was a little different from yours. As far as the showcases go I was refering to his time in high school. He was not drafted out of high school but let it be known he was going to college. He was definately college bound (his parents requirement). The college recruiter followed him from high school starting with American Legion local ball. We did a showcase or two but ultimately that college recruiter (from seeing hin at Legion Ball) was the connection for us. After three years at college in Los Angeles he was seen heavly by the Los Angeles based scouts.

As far as an agent, he was approched by three and we chose one. We ended up taking slotted money but he was able to get a good amount for him to finish school and he is now back in LA for his fall semester. He wants to finish, it is important to him. Between his Jr year at college and rookie ball this summer he threw over 170 innings and he will shut down until Feb (the organizations request). Anyway, good luck to your son. It was an exciting time!

rhp CA mom,

you have a pm

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Our advisor was knowlegable, informative, and honest. But I did meet and speak with many strange characters claiming to be agents/advisors...so my advice would be to beware!

Crollss
Without naming names, what type of shenanigans and mallarkey did you hear.

Dad04-
One guy (who looked like he just rolled out of bed) followed us around the airport after a tournament. When he managed to corner my son he spoke to him without any concept of personal space...talking with his mouth full of food...and spitting peanut shells right onto the carpet of the boarding area!

But mostly it was a case of folks calling the house stating we really needed representation because my son was expected to go "very high" in the draft. In January he was ranked in the top 100 05' grad by BBA Prospects Plus. A few days later the calls started. Most of the scouts who spoke with us were pretty upfront about my son being a draft and follow selection if he was drafted out of HS at all. As I said before, he was a short stop drafted as a RHP and by his own assessment more of a thrower than a pitcher. We were also aware that those rankings had a lot to do with projection rather than where a kid might be at that given time. So we were never under the impression that he would go "very high" in this draft.

Our advisor called before the rankings were posted. He actually came out to see my son play. He told us how the draft works, what to expect, the different senerios tht could play out...including not being drafted at all. He asked us about our expectations, goals, and needs...and we formulated a plan based on just that. After the draft he helped my son find a place to play summer ball and helped us work out a few snags regarding where my son would play JUCO ball this Fall. He checks in on my son from time to time...just to see how things are going, if theres anything he needs...kind of like a big brother.

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One guy (who looked like he just rolled out of bed) followed us around the airport after a tournament. When he managed to corner my son he spoke to him without any concept of personal space...talking with his mouth full of food...and spitting peanut shells right onto the carpet of the boarding area!

Dad'04, sound like anybody you know? lol jk

Nightmare, you want a nightmare? Career threatening injury one month prior to the draft with the whole scouting world watching. But the real suprise was the amount of time spent with clubs and the negative nature of scouts once it appears that it will cost them money to sign your son.
On the first issue, we endured 14 different clubs in our home the winter before the draft. One scout stayed no less than 4 hours. Shortly after that we limited visit to 1 hour. Felt like we were being pushy but it really had to be managed. Also, one club came in 3 times.
On the second issue, it was told to us the year before by some parents whose son was drafted how negative the scouts become about their son's ability once the draft approached. We were skeptical until it happened to us. This kid who was nothing but fantastic 6 months before the draft suddenly became the most flawed player ever seen, etc.
My advice therefore is to make sure you handle the situation. Remember your son is not a piece of meat despite his treatment by the business. Remember it is a business no matter how flattering it is to garner the attention of major league clubs. Finally, do everything within your power to assure your son enjoys that time without major interuptions to their last year of high school or college whichever it may be.

deldad,
Good advice, what happened in the end?
I see that from digging further that he had TJS, hope he is well.

He signed with a pro team and rehabbed and now he is better than ever and pitching better than ever. The only regret was that he missed his senior year of basketball to avoid injury. LOL
Just an aside read the latest issue of Baseball America and the Hochevar negotiations to see read a nightmare for agents and drafts. Very interesting situation.

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The only regret was that he missed his senior year of basketball to avoid injury. LOL

That is just the luck of the draw, isn't it?
I am really glad your son is now healthy, deldad.

I tried to get my brother, who is a coach in MLB, to convince my son to steer away from football so he could put more time into baseball training. My brother would have none of it. He too, was a 3 sport player and really cherished his football days.

Long story short....my son did get injured and missed the end of the season, but if you ask him to do it again....he would make the same choice.

In high school, if you have the athletic ability to play more than one sport....I say go for it!

Those of you whose college juniors were draft eligible: What did you do about housing commitments for your son's senior year in college? If he signed, did you lose your deposit? Have to sublease the space, etc.?

prep, the guys arrainged for their normal lease term to end in August, and added a clause that beginning June it could be ended with a 30 day notice & no penalty

hope that helps, but prolly too late now

Prepster,
Since my son started college I have NEVER gotten any money back for anything...PERIOD!
Like BEE, my son's apt lease was up in August and even though he was drafted and left campus, we had to pay July and Aug rent (plus 1/3 of utilities and cable and internet). My son had two roommates in the apt so another moved in and assumed the lease. Hopefully there was some paperwork signed but I doubt it. I'll probably get dunned for new carpet and paint later on..
Fungo

Thanks, guys!

Both responses are right in line with my thoughts about this, so far. Unfortunately, the lease on the house that Robert shares with 5 teammates runs from May 1st to May 1st; so, we'll be looking for something flexible when it next expires. I have a feeling that "improvisation" is going to be the byword; and, in line with your comments, Fungo, I'm not expecting ANY result that doesn't increase my out-of-pocket!

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I'm not expecting ANY result that doesn't increase my out-of-pocket!

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