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A recent Baseball America issue answered a letter to the editor, citing a study that showed that players who sign directly out of high school need a year or two longer to get through the minors and reach MLB than players who wait and sign after 3-4 years of college ball. But because they start 3-4 years younger, they end up in MLB at a younger age.

The problem with that information is that it is limited to those who did make it to MLB. What I would like to know is, does choosing to play college ball improve or reduce your chances of ever making the majors?

It would seem to me that the failure rate for 18-year-olds whose first experience away from the cocoon of mom & dad's place is a life of bus rides and motels is probably higher, because of the stress of such a dramatic adjustment in their lives. In fact I generally believe that as a society we have essentially prolonged childhood, indulging our teenage children much more so than in past generations, and one impact this has is that your average 18-year-old is not well prepared to live on his own as an adult. He may need a few years with training wheels on before he's ready to tackle that alone.

I would think that 3-4 years living in a college setting with lots of other students your own age, coming from backgrounds like yours and with value systems very much like yours (assuming you chose your school with those factors in mind), would make a good transition or buffer between living in the upstairs bedroom at your parents' house and living a life on your own, on the road.

But that's speculation. I've never seen a study that tries to find a way to compare apples to apples and determine the answer. And such a study would also have to factor in the frequency of kids who pass up bonuses out of high school and then suffer career-ending injuries in college, or whose stock otherwise falls in college and thus, they never get that big bonus money they dreamed of.

If anyone has seen anything like that, though, I'd love to see it. It is a subject that, shall we say, is much on my mind of late.
quote:
And such a study would also have to factor in the frequency of kids who pass up bonuses out of high school and then suffer career-ending injuries in college, or whose stock otherwise falls in college and thus, they never get that big bonus money they dreamed of.


Those guys are so few and far between simply because they most always sign. Alan Horne comes to mind though. He was a first rounder in 2002? Had TJS and came back to go in the 11th round in 2005.
I agree with Dad04, those guys are very far and few between.
Justin Smoak from South Carolina is a good example of what you may be speaking of. While it is a known fact he turned down lots of money to go to college, he is one of those players who most likely without a doubt will do even better in the 2008 draft and have the benefit of the college experience. I have heard it benefits a hitter to take his at bats in college. I just posted something about Tyler Colvin from Clemson. He did his maturing in college to become a first round pick. I beleive interest out of HS was not that much, not sure.
Two players I know who would could been high picks out of HS, have had not so stellar college careers, but they will be drafted non the less, not sure if going to college first would have brought more money or chance to get to the show quicker as they were not drafted out of HS (signability). I do not doubt that they will play one day in the show. I have also seen many first rounders out of HS, signed, not making progress while some out of college have the skills to move quickly. Like anything else, you just don't know how someone will end up, regardless of the path they take.

It's a bit trickier with pitchers. That's why, IMO, it is important to watch carefully how the schools your sons are interested in attending treat arms. That was important to us and a huge factor in pro after college vs pro after HS. Lot also depends on the organization that is drafting as to development in their system.

Intersting, Phil Humber came out of Rice and received a lot of money, injured and has yet to make the show. Zach Duke, same year for HS graduation, drafted 20+ rounds and is there already. OPP posted about that last week, I do beleive his opportunity came due to injury of someone. But Zach needed the stuff it took to be given that chance and he had it. Although not given a huge signing bonus, he is now today, were others who have signed out of college with lots of money are not.

Midlodad, to answer your question, you might try looking at teams that draft largely from HS players (Atlanta for example). Where are the players that they took out of HS, say 3-5 years ago. I do beleive BA just did a piece on who produces the best prospects.

What bothers me is someone, anyone convincing starry eyed 17,18 year olds to take the money and go sign because they will one day be future MLB

The most important thing, is what is best for each individual player and what it will take for them to give up going to school for that opportunity.
Last edited by TPM
Good to see everybody got their .02 in on my 2 percent.

These figures were compiled by several major league baseball statisticians and is on the segment before my segment on the 3/23/07 SandlotRadioNetwork.com ESPN radio show. That thread is the most informative radio interview I've heard in the public domain concerning the major league baseball draft.

Would love to further discuss this and provide more information but will defer to MLB professional representative on Segment 1 of week of 3/23/2007 in the above mentioned radio show.

Headed to a ballpark right now and if you're interested in the Radio Show I spoke of just send me a PM and I will provide you with the link, username and password which will enable you good people, "my heroes", an opportunity to listen to facts and not fiction in the "reality" of what many lose out on for a few years college before the dream. Be back late so give me till around midnight to respond to PMs. In the meantime, be nice till you at least hear the interview Smile peace shep
Shepster-Why in the world would a player ever be concerned with what some paper-shuffling MLB pencil pusher has to say about playing baseball? Roll Eyes

Frankly, I think your point is basicly moot as the vast majority of money round guys sign anyway. If the (very rare) kid doesn't want to go to work full time at 18 doing that GCL/AZL rookie ball thing, which ain't a barrel of laughs by the way imo, that's his business anyway.

You miss the point by a mile anyway as success at the highest levels is not about money. Money is merely a by-product of the passion.
Last edited by Dad04
quote:
Good to see everybody got their .02 in on my 2 percent

These figures were compiled by several major league baseball statisticians and is on the segment before my segment on the 3/23/07 SandlotRadioNetwork.com ESPN radio show. That thread is the most informative radio interview I've heard in the public domain concerning the major league baseball draft.

Would love to further discuss this and provide more information but will defer to MLB professional representative on Segment 1 of week of 3/23/2007 in the above mentioned radio show.

Headed to a ballpark right now and if you're interested in the Radio Show I spoke of just send me a PM and I will provide you with the link, username and password which will enable you good people, "my heroes", an opportunity to listen to facts and not fiction in the "reality" of what many lose out on for a few years college before the dream. Be back late so give me till around midnight to respond to PMs. In the meantime, be nice till you at least hear the interview peace shep


Where did I say "writer" anywhere in my previous post? This is a real interview with "real MLB representatives." Talk show guests include a long list of professional players and HOF baseball greats, as well as scouts and GMs, as well as other "top" front office personnel who will determine the draftlists come June. A little more than pencil pushers
Mike Pelfrey is in the show as of tonight and not in Viera at St Lucie @ Brevard FSU game as I had wished. Shoulda stayed at stadium but thought I would rather see FSU/VT game on Sunsports. TPM,
I was at the game last night and did see Tyler Colvin and several others like the Notre Dame Two-sporter and a child I held in my arms when he was a new-born and gave him my blessings, Matthew Matulia-Switch hitting SS with major league tools. I have tape and will YouTube and post here, maybe.... Smile

The 2 percent is talked about in the Radionetwork by an East Coast Supervisor in the talkshow I am trying to share with you all so you can have a better understanding of what's happening in the pre-draft process with your sons/prospects. It's a shame when personalities get too involved in the process of someone who is sharing sacred inside knowledge with you because he cares... Smile peace shep
Last edited by Shepster
quote:
Originally posted by Shepster:

The 2 percent is talked about in the Radionetwork by an East Coast Supervisor in the talkshow I am trying to share with you all so you can have a better understanding of what's happening in the pre-draft process with your sons/prospects. It's a shame when personalities get too involved in the process of someone who is sharing sacred inside knowledge with you because he cares... Smile peace shep


Are you saying you are the only one familiar with the pre draft process? If it is sacred inside info, why is it being broadcast?
Nobody knows everything about the pre-draft process because every team does things a little differently.

It does help to have a good deal of this information of how one team does it to understand a little better, and by the way, this team's philosophy is not what you endorse and create platforms for discussion here at HSBBW messageboard.

Don't you good people want to hear the other side?
You owe it to yourselves to keep an open mind and just weigh all information including the East Coast Cross-Checker on the paid radio show segment.

The radio show host has given me permission to allow who I would like to hear the information free! Can't find a better deal than that Smile

Dad04, Mike and Mark are the ones I know. Mark coached at Ga Tech about 20 yrs ago for Jim Morris and Mike Matulia lived right across the hall from me my freshman year in JUCO and was my college coach after his banner catching career at the Citadel where he had lifetime average that was around .500 His wife had Matt when they lived right across the hall from a NYY signee, Todd Brown and myself, Ray Shepherd. peace shep
If my son was fortunate enough to get drafted OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL and get VERY good money (that means different things to different people) he most likely would have gone pro because it would have been about the MONEY.

IF my son DIDN'T care about money he would have taken a plane ticket and McDonald's coupon and packed up and signed.

He also, as a 17,18 year was educated by his ADVISOR about the odds of making it either way (with or without money, college first or no college first)are pretty slim. The ADVISORS job is to ADVISE the player what is right for that particular player, not what is right FOR THE TEAM.

What's the other side?


What could you possibly tell me that I haven't learned from reading great posts from parents of pro players, bbscout or PG?

What has that got to do with the 2% you were talking about?

Dad04, let us know about the 2% ok? Didn't he say he knew Matt?
Matthew Matulia with voice over on April 12th @ Holman Stadium, Dodgertown

Matt was a baby when I gave him my blessings. I thought the world of my first JUCO coach Mike Matulia, who was Matt's dad. He was a great coach and inspired me to be the best!! Our lives never crossed again till April 12th, 2007 after my freshman year, almost 25 yrs ago, so no TPM, I don't know Matt personally and not even sure that Mike recognized me sitting behind the plate charting pitchers on the night I captured this great footage of Matt. peace shep

Dad04, I'll send you a PM. peace shep
Last edited by Shepster
Hello everyone we are new to the board and I am sure this is posted somewhere on here .. But we are wondering how to put somone from a small town that normally has no pro's or top recruits coming out of it in front of scouts? How do you get them to come and watch? Someone told me to submit video of this kid?
We are from a 2a school and there is alot of talent just normally not as good as some of the bigger schools so we get over looked.. Any imput you might have would be great... and if this is already posted somewhere please refer me to that.
Welcome, number8fan1974.

Take a look at some of the threads in the General Items forum. There are numerous inquiries similar to yours; "how do I get my kid seen".

I think the gist of most of them will be to get your player on a team that plays in the top tournaments such as those run by one of HSBBW's sponsors, Perfect Game. (Click on their ad.) The consensus here is that they are the very best.
Last edited by infidel_08

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