I know we have discussed this before, but here is another article to parse.
Latin Baseball
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Interesting article. Two very interesting quotes that might spark a little debate:
1. "As a big league general manager told me a few years ago, 'A dad will spend 25 grand over the years on gear and travel ball without blinking an eye, just so he can sit at the bar in his country club after playing 18 and tell everyone his kid is on a baseball scholarship that might be worth five grand a year.' "
2. "The stories of the kids who arrive from the Dominican after playing years with a milk-carton glove and a tree-branch bat are dissolving into folklore. They might start out that way, but, as soon as they show promise, they're funneled into academies that are run like schools and funded by agents, scouts and coaches. The model is often predicated on advice from big league scouts. There is an emphasis on training and instruction, but very few (if any) games......pitcher Michael Ynoa signed with the A's for a $4.25 million signing bonus. Ynoa had all the qualities scouts covet -- size, projectability, a plus-90 fastball -- but the most eye-popping aspect of Ynoa's signing wasn't the money or even Ynoa's age. It was this: A product of the academy system, YNOA HAD NEVER THROWN A PITCH IN A GAME." Emphasis added.
1. "As a big league general manager told me a few years ago, 'A dad will spend 25 grand over the years on gear and travel ball without blinking an eye, just so he can sit at the bar in his country club after playing 18 and tell everyone his kid is on a baseball scholarship that might be worth five grand a year.' "
2. "The stories of the kids who arrive from the Dominican after playing years with a milk-carton glove and a tree-branch bat are dissolving into folklore. They might start out that way, but, as soon as they show promise, they're funneled into academies that are run like schools and funded by agents, scouts and coaches. The model is often predicated on advice from big league scouts. There is an emphasis on training and instruction, but very few (if any) games......pitcher Michael Ynoa signed with the A's for a $4.25 million signing bonus. Ynoa had all the qualities scouts covet -- size, projectability, a plus-90 fastball -- but the most eye-popping aspect of Ynoa's signing wasn't the money or even Ynoa's age. It was this: A product of the academy system, YNOA HAD NEVER THROWN A PITCH IN A GAME." Emphasis added.
It is a LOADED article, as can be seen from the numerous negative comments afterwards.
But I did find it extremely interesting that the instruction includes very limited game time and essentially drills. I can see this working to an extent; I am a proponent of training hard on the fundamental aspects of fielding and hitting.
I do not want to appear as sowing sour grapes since my son has never been drafted, but it would appear to me that MLB programs that invest heavily in these south of the boarder academies must move players through steadily to justify their existence, which I believe does have an impact on our players in The States, there are only so many spots. If you are grooming talented players down there, you will find a place for them to play.
I also understand that these players will generally sign for next to nothing, but I have no issue with that. The sport needs players that love the game regardless of compensation.
But I did find it extremely interesting that the instruction includes very limited game time and essentially drills. I can see this working to an extent; I am a proponent of training hard on the fundamental aspects of fielding and hitting.
I do not want to appear as sowing sour grapes since my son has never been drafted, but it would appear to me that MLB programs that invest heavily in these south of the boarder academies must move players through steadily to justify their existence, which I believe does have an impact on our players in The States, there are only so many spots. If you are grooming talented players down there, you will find a place for them to play.
I also understand that these players will generally sign for next to nothing, but I have no issue with that. The sport needs players that love the game regardless of compensation.
I think that players are signed at 16 but not brought to the US, until they are 18. It may have changed. Their numbers make up a large part of the lowest leagues your son, mine and everyone elses would never want to spend a season in. If you aren't sure of what I am saying, go read the rosters on the GC and AZ leagues.
I do beleive they do play simulated games, the importance on fundamentals and practice, practice, practice so they can COMPETE in games with american players. I was told once most don't play their real first game until they get to the complex leagues (where most american born players really don't want to start there careers) so I believe that to be true. Leaving out the few that get millions, they get a small bonus, come here and eat beans everyday and send the rest of their paychecks home to help support their family. Then when they are done here, they go back (they have to) to play in the winter leagues and get paid more money. Most american born players have had enough after 6 months (that is not true in all cases).
Reality is that our kids can't survive on what a first year lower level with a small signing bonus makes unless most parents are willing to help. If our sons were willing to accept a few thousand dollars, a ticket and 1250 a month there would be no need for ML to look elsewhere.
MLB has to keep the pipeline moving to fill it's farm. Most players coming out of HS, will not sign for what is offered, because they have options. Most of these players do not (have options). It's like the foreigners brought here by employers because they cannot get americans to do certain lower paying jobs. I see it as the same thing, but that is my opinion.
FWIW, some of these players are VERY good, some of these players get released much quicker than their american teammates.
I do beleive they do play simulated games, the importance on fundamentals and practice, practice, practice so they can COMPETE in games with american players. I was told once most don't play their real first game until they get to the complex leagues (where most american born players really don't want to start there careers) so I believe that to be true. Leaving out the few that get millions, they get a small bonus, come here and eat beans everyday and send the rest of their paychecks home to help support their family. Then when they are done here, they go back (they have to) to play in the winter leagues and get paid more money. Most american born players have had enough after 6 months (that is not true in all cases).
Reality is that our kids can't survive on what a first year lower level with a small signing bonus makes unless most parents are willing to help. If our sons were willing to accept a few thousand dollars, a ticket and 1250 a month there would be no need for ML to look elsewhere.
MLB has to keep the pipeline moving to fill it's farm. Most players coming out of HS, will not sign for what is offered, because they have options. Most of these players do not (have options). It's like the foreigners brought here by employers because they cannot get americans to do certain lower paying jobs. I see it as the same thing, but that is my opinion.
FWIW, some of these players are VERY good, some of these players get released much quicker than their american teammates.
DSL – Dominican Summer league is where many of the younger Dominicans start out after signing with a MLB club. Some actually end up making it to the states while many others never do. All 30 MLB Clubs are involved in the league and they play a 70 game schedule.
One interesting and somewhat disappointing statistic involving the DSL... I believe they lead all other leagues in suspensions for performing enhancing drugs. Steroids seem to still be popular there.
One interesting and somewhat disappointing statistic involving the DSL... I believe they lead all other leagues in suspensions for performing enhancing drugs. Steroids seem to still be popular there.
quote:Originally posted by TPM:
MLB has to keep the pipeline moving to fill it's farm. Most players coming out of HS, will not sign for what is offered, because they have options. Most of these players do not (have options). It's like the foreigners brought here by employers because they cannot get americans to do certain lower paying jobs. I see it as the same thing, but that is my opinion.
Your not the only one with this opinion TPM!
It has been said that many of these cheap kids are necessary so the high draft picks have someone to play with. (BTW this inlcludes the US higher round picks) Certainly some of the higher round picks make it up through, (and I don't know the statistics here) but the top players have to have someone to play against.
I am not really sure of the purpose of the article. He seems to have left out some important facts why there are so many latins in lower levels.
I am not sure about anyone else, but my player wasn't going to give up his scholarship to play college baseball for what a team was offering him to give up college and play games in front of no one. So what do you do when you don't have what you need? You look elsewhere, in this case, you develop a system where you might be able to supply what you need.
PG, not only do they test positive for drugs but many lie about their age.
Can't blame them in a way, it is their only way to escape their existance.
I am not sure about anyone else, but my player wasn't going to give up his scholarship to play college baseball for what a team was offering him to give up college and play games in front of no one. So what do you do when you don't have what you need? You look elsewhere, in this case, you develop a system where you might be able to supply what you need.
PG, not only do they test positive for drugs but many lie about their age.
Can't blame them in a way, it is their only way to escape their existance.
The two statistics that caught my eye were:
1. 4.5% of college baseball players are black, including traditionally black schools. I knew it was a small percentage but wow that's low. Probably under 4% at most schools if you take out the black schools.
2. 42% of minor league players are hispanic.
I would think that the lower minor leagues can be very daunting for many suburban kids getting drafted out of high school. Not only is the competition very stiff but the life style change can be intimidating. Might be one of the reasons why only 1% of players drafted make a living in the majors.
Maybe that's why make-up is so important to scouts when assesing a player, especially high schooler who all start out at the lowest levels.
1. 4.5% of college baseball players are black, including traditionally black schools. I knew it was a small percentage but wow that's low. Probably under 4% at most schools if you take out the black schools.
2. 42% of minor league players are hispanic.
I would think that the lower minor leagues can be very daunting for many suburban kids getting drafted out of high school. Not only is the competition very stiff but the life style change can be intimidating. Might be one of the reasons why only 1% of players drafted make a living in the majors.
Maybe that's why make-up is so important to scouts when assesing a player, especially high schooler who all start out at the lowest levels.