I keep inquiring with you guys...........

quote:

OLDSLUGGER8
Member

Posted December 31, 2006 12:16 AM
Atkins takes over farm teams
Experience overseeing Latin American side deemed plus for job
By Sheldon Ocker
Beacon Journal sportswriter
As expected, the Indians promoted Ross Atkins to director of player development Monday.

He replaces John Farrell, who was hired as pitching coach for the Red Sox last week.

Even though Atkins has spent the past three years as the team's director of Latin American operations, he doesn't feel isolated from the Tribe's farm system.

``My knowledge is not nearly what it's going to be or as extensive as John Farrell's,'' Atkins said. ``But John always kept me in the loop, so it's a matter of refocusing.''

As director of player development, Atkins will oversee the Indians' six farm teams, as well as Latin American operations. He and assistant general manager Chris Antonetti will pick his successor.

Atkins will move his family from Miami and make a radical alteration in his work routine. As the Tribe's overseer of baseball academies in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, Atkins customarily spent one week a month in the Dominican Republic and three days a month in Venezuela.

The Indians have concentrated their Latin American operations mostly in three countries, with the third being Panama. They also have a strong interest in Puerto Rico, but Puerto Rican players are included in the annual June draft and thus are not part of Atkins' area of responsibility.

General Manager Mark Shapiro said he considered five applicants for the player development position and interviewed two. Atkins' experience in Latin America was considered a plus.

``We needed someone with a strong ability to communicate with people of different backgrounds and cultures,'' Shapiro said. ``Ross has a good feel for the game and ability as an evaluator.''

Atkins, 33, was Farrell's assistant from 2001 to 2003. He graduated from Wake Forest and pitched from 1995 to 1999 in the Tribe's farm system.

Atkins doesn't anticipate making any immediate changes.

``I'm going to get through this transition period,'' he said, ``so I have no changes planned.''

http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:BM-6-gB-cWcJ:www.oh...n&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=7


***** Less than 10% of the HS kids drafted in 2003 were re-drafted in 2006!!

The spots are taken by whom? Many of these kids!! So these scouts truly track your son when he chooses college ball? No way unless he is Mr. STUD!! Lets talk about college ball versus the Minors again!! Shall we?

Less than 10% are re-drafted. What is kids ultimate goal. I keep asking, but get jibberish.

Here is my take................. Hey kids in SA, play ball 12 months year round, get real good while these other guys try to get a college dimploma, play ball, and make every effort to make both work out.

Ain't gonna happen very often!! Way back I asked about the FREAK, the Stanford noodlehead who gets both done, usually a pitcher because they are 1/5 players. He gotsa great grades, and can forego 4 tools as long as he can pitch.

What about the other 8 guys out there?? Hey kids..........you want to ascertain your college degree while these other guys are taking your spot?

I hope this ruffles feathers. Just a reminder there are more hills and mountains out there, and that 3 years of college guarantees absolutely NADA.

Not sure why I think this post will soon be erased. With that in mind, I copied it for others to consider.
Many times I have posted about the "business of baseball." What is coming for your son is different than anything he has ever experienced before. That is true whether he is drafted and signs, follows his NLI, or follows other options. I wish the very, very best for your son. If you like ruffling feathers, so be it.
IMO, there are a lot of very good parents and players who will be trying to make decisions similar to those you describe. Once you are out of high school, NADA is guaranteed, whether you are drafted and sign, drafted and don't sign, or aren't drafted and pursue your NLI.
Finally, before you assert that a "Stanford noodlehead" is a "FREAK," please introduce yourself to Brian Hall. He is 25, as versatile and fine a player/person as you can find, graduated with 2 degrees from Stanford, has overcome cancer, shoulder and wrist surgeries, and will room with my son in the next few weeks in pursuit of the same dream you desire for your son. No one has walked in Brian's shoes and your reference to players from Stanford and players who pursue a college degree as opposed to professional options is personally repulsive.

quote:

Way back I asked about the FREAK, the Stanford noodlehead who gets both done, usually a pitcher because they are 1/5 players. He gotsa great grades, and can forego 4 tools as long as he can pitch.

What about the other 8 guys out there?? Hey kids..........you want to ascertain your college degree while these other guys are taking your spot?

I hope this ruffles feathers. Just a reminder there are more hills and mountains out there, and that 3 years of college guarantees absolutely NADA.

OS8 - let these negative feelings leave your system, it will only shorten your life imho. Be happy your son has signed and enjoy whatever else happens as gravy - re: draft.

We have many parents on this site whose sons attend Stanford, pitch, and are not going to appreciate those characterizations imho. These players are great athletes in their own right and were often the best position players (other than pitchers) in their respective states along with being great pitchers. Also, the most important tool any player has is his brain thus, Stanford players have a distinct advantage over most.

Finally, the college player is at a distinct advantage imho. After 3 years, they have an option which the pro player out of hs (at least to that point in their careers) does not.

Why lash out at those that are doing it their way? I never played college baseball, professional baseball, nor did I attend Stanford but I am offended at what you say. Why do you climb on your soapbox, grab the attention of the thousands of baseball parents and player and point out those that you disagree with and downplay their accomplishments? I usually file post away by the nature of their contents. I think I’ll just make a new folder and label this one as “Inflammatory and Pointless”.
Fungo

OS


I think you need some help---mentally !!!!

What on earth was the point of this thread?!?!!? I don't think Stanford has many "noodleheads" in their school or on their field. I also don't think pitchers anywhere are pitchers because they didn't have tools to do anything else... my own son included. Bitterness and anger in our lives will eat away at our souls and the spirits of our families.... no place for it in any of our lives.... including this website. JMO

BTW, my own son didn't end up at the school that recruited him the heaviest and was his number one choice. It happens! That sure doesn't mean that he doesn't thank God every day for how it turned out and count his blessings for the fit that he found! He didn't end up drafted out of HS neither... doesn't mean that his dream stopped. I hope your son is able to enjoy and feel the support of family whatever and wherever his journey takes him.

OldSlugger,

Do you have any idea how many of those Latin American kids go through the process - get no college education - and dont make it to MLB?

Here is the answer - ALOT.

And when their baseball career is over - they leave with a bag of donuts, a pair of worn out cleats and no college education.

I - too - am trying to figure out exactly what the point of your post is.

I think what old slugger was trying to say was while college players are getting an education and playing baseball part time, there are players in other parts of the world focused only on baseball.
You take a risk signing out of high school, you take a risk NOT signing. There are pros and cons on both sides. So follow your heart.

NJ,

I see it now. Thanks.

quote:

You take a risk signing out of high school, you take a risk NOT signing. There are pros and cons on both sides. So follow your heart.

njbb - great points. I will also say that players who choose to sign can always go back and get a college education if pro ball does not work out for them.

While a player who attend college rather than sign a pro contract takes a risk, so does the player who signs out of HS. He has a 4% chance of making it to the majors, and even then might only make it for a September call up.

There are many pitchers who have only one tool who make hitters with 4 or 5 tools miss more often than not when they swing.

Wow .

I am answering for my good friend Justbaseball, who would have been ripped if he saw this. As you all know his son attends Stanford and has had a bumpy rode along the way (freak accident this summer at the cape). Unfortunetly, JBB's mom has taken a turn for the worse and is by her side with the family.
Justbaseball and I have lot in common. His son and mine where prospects in HS for the draft and together we shared lots of if's, what if's, what shall we do. We both decided to let our sons choose what they felt was best for them and they both made great choices. His was drafted mine was not, they are both playing at fine baseball schools and having the time of their lives. If they could would they go back and change things, NOPE, and we are happy for that. But all this was based on where they were going and what they were looking for. Both aspire to play pro ball, just like every other baseball player in the US. Some take different directions to get there, that's their choice, it's personal. And whatever happens three years later, oh well, it happens or it doesn't and that is just the way to look at it.
You should look carefully at a player at Stanford, Michael Taylor, who is NOT a pitcher. He was a huge prospect out of HS, 4.0+ out of HS and is a huge propspect now. So much for the noodle head Stanford kids who don't pitch. Kind of put your player side by side against Micheal Taylor, that's what's ahead. Or try the catcher from Georgia Tech, Matt Weiters, or the CF from Clemson, Brad Chalk, that's your son's competition this year as college position players, the list goes on and on. What in the H**L are you so hung up about? Unless your son has an option to be very early pick, stop analizing. You can't control this, that's for sure.

Do scouts follow HS prospects that do not decide to sign out of HS. You bet they do, and very closely. Verrrrrrrrry closely. In fact, some teams only prefer college players so their progress is important. Some don't. And do you have to be a stud out of HS? No way, just ask our 13th pick player this year, Tyler Colvin who was NOT by any means a stud out of HS. Just very much possessed lots of the tools needed to TRY to get to the next level and had a VERY good year.

Listen to infielddad, your son after HS, no matter which road he decides to follow has something coming you will have never experienced or your son, because as infielddad states, it is a BUSINESS. Stop trying to build a case why one should or shouldn't, blah, blah. The only one you should be concerned with is YOUR player.

I recently heard a story. A latin american player comes up Venezuela, plays one year in the minors and sees that he has no future and now has NOTHING. He took the chance to get into the US and a job if things don't work out. He has no college option. Just an example about those you speak of taking sopts.

Your post didn't ruffle my feathers (other than the Stanford remark) because you don't listen very well. You keep asking and we keep telling, there are NO guarantees. You obviously still harbor very angry feelings about your son's HS recruiting experience.


Be happy your son has an option, stop beating yourself up. Try to put all of the draft hoopla out of your mind, because if you continue, after you see what it is all about next June, you are most likely going to be one unhappy dad.

Infielddad,
You never have to apologize for anything you say. More parents should listen VERY carefully to those that have gone before us.
My best to you and your family.

quote:

What is kids ultimate goal. I keep asking, but get jibberish.

OS8, if you want your son to sign out of HS when he gets drafted, it's OK with ALL the rest of us.

You have our permission and blessing.

quote:

So these scouts truly track your son when he chooses college ball? No way unless he is Mr. STUD!!

That is correct. Only the studs survive.

In college or the minor leagues.

Deal with it.

Why in the world would a professional scout track anyone who wasnt a "stud".

I dont know any professional scouts who track mediocre players.

Thats akin to being a food critic for the NY Times - and tracking the greasy spoon diners.

Pointless. IMO.

Ok, wait, I thought about it, I am going with FO on this one.

If your son gets drafted, go for it!

Happy now?

ROFLMAO, its and TPM.

I understand some of what Slugger is trying to point out.
The Latin Player's are being able to sign as 16yr old's.
Not having to go thru the draft and all.
I believe Sluggo think's that's unfair.
Are that they will leave are players behind in the dust if they do anything other then go Pro.

Well I believe you need to have more faith in your player's ability.
Like I said before, The EH host's minor leaguer's during the season.
I've had 1st rounder's and i've had free agent's.
Both 1st rounder's came out of College.
The Free agent was drafted out of college his senior year.
Released and picked up as a free agent.
Now is considered a good prospect coming up thru the system. Should be in triple A this year.
One first rounder was drafted out of HS in the middle round's, Went to college and became an All American.
The other 1st rounder was not drafted out of HS.
Became a 1st rounder out of College.
2 Player's drafted out of HS signed.
And they still have the same road to ho as the other's in the Minor League's.

Having your own live in advisor's is Priceless.

Son was drafted in the later round's of 06.
Was offered a fairly decent scholly offer to a top 25 team.
Son, I repeat Son made the choice to go to College.
And he made the right choice for him.

The EH never went to college, Can You Tell. LOL
In fact nobody in my family has ever went to College.
But I would like to see my son go and finish if that's possible.


There are no Guarantee's in Baseball.
If he's good enough he will make it, Know matter what.

But Sluggo get OFF of everybody's back on this Subject.
It's a personel choice
Live with it.
EH

quote:

But I would like to see my son go and finish if that's possible.

EH,

Anything and everything is possible. IMO

FYI,
Take a look at minor league rosters.

Just because a player has chosen pro ball does not always mean he is up at every game. One of my son's former coaches told me (his son played for Auburn and drafted by the Red Sox) that the roster is so over crowded son is lucky to get at bats AND see the field on a good day. You have to fight for your spot, college or pro. Of course the ones who got to be lucky and in the first few rounds will see more playing time, just because the team has made a big invenstment.

Becoming a pro does not mean automatic got a spot for everyday.

Baseball is a business. Yes, they might take a latin american player at 16 to develop, because that player does NOT have to attend HS and that player has no option to fall back on if he fails.

Think before you post.

How are we supposed to tell you the ultimate goal? What is YOUR son's ultimate goal and how does he wish to achieve it?

Three years of college guarantees NOTHING, so does getting drafted after HS.

JMO.

quote:

Three years of college guarantees NOTHING, so does getting drafted after HS. JMO.

Nor does signing out of Latin America at 16, other than you won't be sleeping in a dirt floor hut till you get cut and sent home.

The grass ain't greener in Latin America. Most of the time there is no grass.

I do appreciate the news flash that scouts are looking for STUDS. Very enlightening....

Dad04,

In several games - when my eldest played in Puerto Rico - they cut out pieces of cardboard boxes - doubled them up - and packed them in mud on the "Mound".

That was the rubber.

They love the game.

I hope they keep getting alot of chances to get the hell out of the ratholes they live in.

IMO.

...and then they take the extra card board home to sleep on. I guess you need to see things first hand south of the border to understand why they crawl on their hands and knees to get here.

quote:

They love the game.

I hope they keep getting alot of chances to get the hell of the ratholes they live in.

Right on ITS.

I hope they keep raising the Bar.
It will only make the Baseball World Stronger.
American Kid's can play with anybody and the World.
And there not Afraid of a Challenge.
EH

quote:

American Kid's can play with anybody and the World.

They do it every day April through October.

I meant are youth.
American KIDS.
Not adult's.

Them too......

OS8 - I mean this as genuinely and truthfully as anything...I hope you find peace, somehow with yourself and your view of this process. You seem to me very troubled.

And while your "Stanford noodlehead" remark really doesn't bother me at all (actually I got a good chuckle out of it and I needed a good chuckle today while visiting your home state), I truly hope you get the good fortune to meet the young man that infielddad told you about someday. I have. Your life will be genuinely enriched from the experience. It will be one of the very, very best days of your life. I can assure you of that.

Happy New year! As some may have noticed, I just got a lesson in addition and subtraction
I put my stone away and got some lemonade for EVERYBODY!! (it's spiked)

The lemonade tastes better.

BTW, I love Ohio...grew up here. Might move back someday.

One simple solution---if you don't like it here ---LEAVE

quote:

by RH: only that his posts are cryptic, disorganized, and negative.

def - cryptic; having hidden or secret meaning
hmm, maybe your interpretaion is not the intended one



well, there's no hidden meaning in TR's post . . . or is there



I went to school w/a guy who couldn't write a sticky note - -
now he has a staff to comunicate to his 100+ employees

quote:

Originally posted by OLDSLUGGER8:

***** Less than 10% of the HS kids drafted in 2003 were re-drafted in 2006!!

The spots are taken by whom? Many of these kids!!

. . . while these other guys are taking your spot?

From what I have recently learned, a major league team can only have 30% of their entire roster filled from outside of America. That's their entire roster - including all of their minor league teams. Seems like there are still plently of spots left. Don't think the other guys are taking away spots.

Besides, it you're good enough to play, it WILL happen, Latin America or not!!

***I like to generate debate, get opinions, not psychotherapy like some replies from those who feel qualified as a Shrink?? thanks redhead..... don't know much about Old Sluuger - only that his posts are cryptic, disorganized, and negative. I sense a lot of rage and personal dissatisfaction. From what I gather on this post, it seems that he thinks South American players have a distinct advantage over our kids living in the USA.***

cryptic......OK.......Ignorant 0%.....its about the debate, the opinions, but not necessarily mine.

I have been quoted many times here that all decisions are made on the field of play!!Period!!


The other side of the coin!!

http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:uvQTnNXGMT4J:slam....n&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=7

Latin American 'boot camps' no guarantee

By BOB ELLIOTT -- Toronto Sun

Tony Fernandez made it.

So, did Kelvim Escobar and Junior Felix.

They wore major-league uniforms, as did Domingo Ramos, Luis Sojo, Sandy Martinez and Domingo Cedeno.

But what happens to other players from Latin America who sign after July 1, when they are 17, but are out of minor-league ball after three or four years?

Arturo J. Marcano Guevera knows and the Indiana University graduate has written about the hardships facing those who try to make it from the day they enter a baseball academy and about those who don't make it.

Guevera, along with David P. Fidler, wrote Stealing Lives, The Globalization of Baseball and the Tragic Story of Alexis Quiroz.

Guevera taught sports law at the University of Massachsuetts last year. He and his wife, Mary Ann, are living in Etobicoke where they've resided for most of the past nine years.

"Teams over-sign players and send them to academies in the Dominican and Venezuela," Guevera said this week at the Rogers Centre.

It's similar to overbooking a flight. Except if you make the flight, something is guaranteed in return. Academies are like boot camps, with very little to handle the basics such as a sore elbow or shoulder.

SOCIAL PROBLEMS

"This has led to great social problems in Latin America," the author says. "Young boys give up schooling, give up everything to chase a dream not everyone realizes. After being released they come home without an education and can't find work."

In North America, teams offer a high schooler or a collegian a signing bonus, plus a schooling package for when his career is over. That does not happen in Latin America.

"The whole thrust of the book is that it is possible to play baseball and get an education, too," he says of his campaign to raise awareness. "So many players see baseball as the only way out of poverty. They are pushed by families and scouts to play baseball, to be the next Sammy Sosa or Pedro Martinez."

Guevera doesn't like the inequity of the average signing bonus for drafted players in North America, which averages $15,000-$17,000 US in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico. In Latin America, free agents sign for an average of $5,000-$8,000, or so the book claims.

Of the 822 majors leaguers on opening day rosters, 27.9% were foreign born. Of the 6,568 minor leaguers, 45% were foreign born. The Dominican Republic leads with 1,463 players, followed by Venezuela (831), Puerto Rico (114), Mexico (95), Australia (85) and Canada (82).

Respected baseball expert Milton Jamail is quoted as saying: "There is not a kid in the Caribbean who reaches his 14th birthday without being seen by a major-league team."

If it's tough enough for veteran scouts to project a college pick at age 21, how easy can it be for buscons -- or searchers -- to look at a 14-year-old and do the same?

The book traces the story of Quiroz, of Venezuela, who signed with the Chicago Cubs, was sent to the Dominican summer league, injured his left shoulder, was then taken to a storage room and a trainer stomped on his shoulder to get it back in place. Quiroz incurred $7,694 in medical bills after being released.

"At the academy, Alex was paid $750 a month, but $300 of that went back to the Cubs for room and board," he says. "I've read where Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees has been asked about academies. He said if he had attended one, he probably wouldn't have made it."

Seeing former major leaguers such as Tony Pena and Ozzie Guillen send their sons to U.S. schools, Guevera hopes some are seeing the light and combining baseball and school. But not everyone has a father who played in the majors.

Former Major League Baseball CEO Sandy Alderson used to talk about "the great humanitarian works MLB was undertaking in Latin America."

MLB should first start by treating players like humans, not cattle.

**** no Shrinks need apply**** THERE IS NO ANGER

Some random thoughts :
Of the Kids drafted in 2003 that did sign how many are still in baseball after 2006?

Of the kids drafted in 2003 that did sign and do not get to the "show" What percentage go back to college?

Is there increased competetion from Latin countries absolutely, the Far East explosion of talent we are starting to see now as well and academies similar to Latin countries will be seen as well. ( I think that is even more reason to go to college)

Maybe the solution is to move to Dominican Republic live in poverty (not meant to be slam but most stories about the kids speak of their limited resources)and don't get an education, and play there. Of course I would like to know the percentage of Dominican players that play at these academies that don't get drafted and of course we never know about.

To sign or not to sign when you are drafted is a question I'm not smart enough to answer...how about a definite maybe...and about forgoing professional ball and playing in college a resounding maybe as well.

quote:

Originally posted by OLDSLUGGER8:

***** Less than 10% of the HS kids drafted in 2003 were re-drafted in 2006!!

Less than 10% are re-drafted. What is a kids ultimate goal. I keep asking.

Here is my take................. Hey kids in SA, play ball 12 months year round, get real good while these other guys try to get a college dimploma, play ball, and make every effort to make both work out.

Ain't gonna happen very often!! Way back I asked about the FREAK, the Harvard type who gets both done, usually a pitcher.

What about the other 8 guys out there?? Hey kids..........you want to ascertain your college degree while these other guys may be taking your spot?

Just a reminder there are more hills and mountains out there, and that 3 years of college baseball guarantees absolutely NADA.

I would also say that being drafted out of high school guarantees absolutely NADA.

quote:

Originally posted by Redhead:
So what is your point? Did you just copy the article for no reason? Do you have an opinion?

***expressing opinions here are treated a WRONG, so why bother!!

Just more fodder on the ongoing college vs. Pro debate. There is no right or wrong answer, just an individuals decision.

You go to college to get an education

You play college baseball either to play college baseball or use it as a venue to advance to Pro.

You go to the minors and try to advance to a higher level

quote:

There is no right or wrong answer...

Actually there is a right and wrong answer...you just may not know it at the time you make the decision. You may not know the "right" answer for years. You may never know the "right" answer!

But you're right, each individual has their own life to live and may arrive at many different conclusions under similar circumstances.

JBB,
I agree there definetly is a right or wrong answer.
Sometimes you know it right away, sometimes it takes a while to figure it out.

I know making the decision to turn pro or go to college is a difficult one. That's something to be discussed in advance and decided upon after draft day.

Parents of HS players,
Try not to pay attention to all of this. You might be wondering the whole season what is the right thing to do, but come draft day, son doesn't get drafted, then you'll turn around and say, wish I had paid more attention to son's last HS season! Put it aside and enjoy the moments, you'll never have them back again.

TPM.
Great advice.
Enjoy the here and now.
Let that other stuff take of it self in due time.
EH

As a parent of a HS player who was drafted, yes this is a very tough decision and one to make wisely. As Parents we both wanted our child to attend school but the question we asked ourselves after talking with Son. what is it that he really wanted to do!! We couldn't picture our son attending classes and knowing that he could be playing Pro Ball. It is a tough road for a 19yr old to suddenly be thrusted into doing everything for himself. The long bus rides between games and living out of a suitcase. They have to grow-up and adjust quickly cause mom/dad aren't there to help them. In closing is there a correct answer to the question Pro versus College I can't really say, we made what we thought was in the best interest of our child and haven't looked back since. I must say that to those considering this that to please keep the MLB Scholarship plan in your mind. This item is also negotiable and son has used this during his offseason.

did you know your son was gonna be drafted? If so how? Congradulations to your son.

Yes, we had a pretty good idea that son was going to be drafted but the question asked was where. All you got from the scouts is what is it going to take $$ to sign. There is no logic to the draft and if you can figure it out you are a better person than I. We did do our homework as to previous years as to what "slot" money is in what rd. You have to remember that for the 1st ten rds MLB likes teams to stay within the desired range for that rd. After the 10th rd slot money isn't held accountable to MLB. Did it matter where son was drafted, no he wanted to play and it does help to get a signing bonus to help out. Also do your homework before the draft our son being a pitcher we had a list of teams that son would sign with. We were contacted by other teams during the draft offering more money but they weren't on our list. To get back to your original question we really didn't know son was going to be drafted until senior yr. Had numerous scouts showing up to games and calling the home. I have mixed feeling about scouts in general but you have to be truthful with them. The number 1 question they love to ask is what is it going to take $$ to sign your son. You have to be very careful how you answer this question cause all scouts talk among themselves. If you have any more questions please don't hesitate to ask and "good luck".

Did your son have a outstanding jr. year. They say your jr. year is the year there watching. Is that true? Also they say the taller you are the better chance you have of being drafted as a pitcher? Thankyou for letting me ask these questions.

As for Junior yr I guess you could say that towards the end of this year is when scouts started to take notice. His HS team won states that year and he played a big part in that but mostly his Senior yr is when most of the attention was paid. As for size son was a "late bloomer" and was around 6ft 200lbs and most of the reports we had heard about son was that he had already grown into his body. Son is presently 6'3"/228 but yes height does matter as to most of the MILB games we have attended most pitchers are over 6ft. My wife and I during sons senior yr even though we knew the scouts we there we stayed to ourselves and just wanted to watch the game. I have seen this the other way where parents know that scouts are there and all they do is talk with them. We are very friendly with local scout that signed son and asked him this question and he stated that they just like to be left alone as they are there to do a job. He also said that when the time comes to talk with the parent they will find you.

very interesting. Thankyou.

quote:

even though we knew the scouts we there we stayed to ourselves and just wanted to watch the game

Now Raiders3604 fess up, I'll bet you also wanted to know what the scouts were thinking.

Never bothered to sort them out and you knew that they were there cause they were always up front. During Sons JR/SRyrs I took a xfer to Boston from Florida and would try to make it back for as many games that I could. I was there to watch son and watch him enjoy his senior year and would let the draft take care of itself. Son during MLB draft was on a plane from Boston to Florida and had lots of voicemails from teams trying to reach him, but "oh well". Everything has a way of working itself out and He has enjoyed every minute of his choosing baseball over school. Son was drafted in 04 and will be attending his 1st "Big League Camp" this spring.

Raiders

So did you get any inhome visits from the scouts before the draft?

Good information. I think the majority of us approach it the same way. I too would sit and watch the high school games and couldn't help but notice the scouts. I also knew the scout's opinions and the ultimate draft were (at that time) the only pieces of the puzzle that I didn't have that determined whether my son would choose pro or college. Of course I wanted to watch the games but I also wanted to know what was going on behind the scenes. I didn't ask, I just watched it the draft unfold. What else can you do? Auburn’s coach would call regularly wanting to know what the scouts were saying and continually asking about my son’s position on the draft. I knew I couldn't influence the draft so we waited until he was drafted. Lots of scout initiated discussion of “what if” prior to the draft and coaching from his advisor as how to handle the negotiations but I was just basically answering questions and being honest without laying all our cards on the table. After the draft I gave my opinion to my son to help him choose between pro and college. The wait for the draft announcements was exciting but nerve wracking at the same time. He opted for college so fast forward three years. Completely different situations. He had gone from an inexperienced 17 year old kid in high school to a 20 year old man with 3 years of SEC baseball under his belt. I don’t remember offering my opinion when he was drafted out of college but if I did, it was nothing more than idle talk. I knew he had made his decision to turn pro months before the draft.
Fungo
When you come to a fork in the road --- take it!

Fungo.....great reply and yes lots of things you experienced we felt the same way about. I must say that it was hard to answer the question from scouts about what is it going to take to sign your son. They also tried very hard to find out about school or would he turn pro. We had sat down with son before the draft and voiced our concerns but we knew that son wanted to play ball and wouldn't be happy attending school. I have expressed my views on the MLB draft and son is extremely happy to be with the organization he is with. I will say that the most stress was after the draft when you enter into the negotiating process with the club and the scout. The day after the draft concluded we had an express DHL package on our front door with the club initial offer. When the scout shows up at your home later to ask if son was going to sign for this amount and we said no. Then the scout proceeds to ask for the offer/paperwork back and exits home quickly that was eye opening. In the long run he was just doing his job and its a business,everything eventually worked out and to this day this scout and my family are very close. I would also like to say that we were never looking to break the bank with sons signing bonus. Just something to put away for a rainey day and he has invested wisely.

worrymom.... yes we had numerous scouts visit our home during senior year. You must be careful what you say to these scouts cause they all talk amongst themselves so they know everything. They would talk about son and how impressed they are with him and how he would fit into their organization. They really wanted to know about schools and how the parents felt. They would also give a physcological(sp) profile that they would give to son for their evaluation. Really didn't get stressful with scouts until the day before and the day of the draft when they are calling to say "well we would really like to take you son next but will he sign for xx amount. Just be truthful with them and be careful what you say when the talk turns to money and remember the MLB Scholarship plan is negotiable.

Fungo.....I see Jackson TN....have you attended any of the Diamond Jaxx games??

So far, regarding scouts visits, the only questions I ask them relate to how they feel about him as a player from Tool #1 thru Tool #6. Then I shut up and leave it up to the kid and the scout.

I also ask them what Round they feel he projects at. Most of the scouts have said parents/advisors who draw financial lines in the sand do more harm than good, which is why discussing tools and talent is the approach we adopted, right or wrong.

A wise young man once told me " the Round indicates the interest and potential investment of the player, and the bonus is tied to the Round.

I am sure, based on the experiences of those here who have had the decision with their kid, eventually the specifics need to be dealt with.

As of now, way too early in the process.

As stated earlier yes, through the 1st ten rds MLB clubs usually have to stay within slot money. Outside the 10th rd anything goes, in the past couple of years you have seen big signing bonuses going to players taken in 18th and 11th rds.

quote:

Fungo.....I see Jackson TN....have you attended any of the Diamond Jaxx games??

I do go to the Diamond Jaxx games. I'll sent you a PM.
Fungo

Raiders-
If you didn't sign for their initial offer, were you just negotiating for college money?

I'm still a little confused about all this ~ I know the first 10 rounds have "guidelines" for money, but can you get signing bonus above that gudeline?

Guess I was thinking that guideline was the signing bonus.

Veryproudmom,
If you go to last years draft you will find that there are early bonus' that are way out of their slot, which is supposed to be the guideline.
You can find this info in the pgcrosschecker.com site under 2006 draft.
Try a million dollar bonus in the 4th round or a 7 million one in a later (round under the tenth). That's not in teh guidelines..lol. I asked this question when I saw larger bonus' paid later on, and was told the teams can and will do what they want, as long as they have good reason and good reasons are not hard to come up with. Sometimes extra money is freed up from an unsigned player, sometimes a deal is made before with an ok, sometimes there is no reason for anything. Giving larger bonus' above slot after the 10th round is NOT a common practice either but situations arise. I know a player who was offered 100K in the 30 something round last year and a player offered about 150K in the 45th round.

It is a guideline in the sense if you are told, for example, your son might fall in the 5-7th round, then you essentially will know what bonus' were paid for that round the previous year. If you feel that yur son is worth 5OOk but not going to most likely get that, then decisions become easier.

Some people do not care about bonus, that's ok. The whole idea, IMO, is to be able to position with a team that you may actually get a chance to play for, or one that has a good farm system.

There is a lot to the whole process to THINK about.

To anybody wanting to ask specific questions about all this please send me a P.M and I will gladly answer.

raiders,
I think perhaps you might think that I am trying to get into your advice but I was just adding to it. I think that you have given good and much needed advice to parents who need the information to help in deciding which is the right choice for their sons.

Worrymom, you have a PM

nc42dad, you have a PM.

quote:

You go to college to get an education

You play college baseball either to play college baseball or use it as a venue to advance to Pro.

Or, you go to college to get an education AND play baseball--then, as the NCAA intimates, go pro in something else.

(My apologies if this goes slightly "off topic"...)

Our son has a true passion for baseball--with an exceptional work ethic that developed his skills to play college baseball. Translation: he was awarded a scholarship, but he isn't getting drafted--and we all know it. He is happy--ecstatic--about his future (as a Physical Therapist, so he says, at this point) and we are too. If he stays with it and works as hard in the classroom as he does to hone his game, he will have a nice "offer" (geez, maybe even a "signing bonus") when he finishes his doctorate.

Different strokes for different folks. Sometimes, you play the game because it is, after all, just a game.