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This is the time of year when rumors start popping up about players being considered for early selections in the draft. Each year we hear from people who claim a certain player has been told he will go early in the draft, even the first round. There are always three or four times as many who think they’re going in the first round than there are actual first round picks. Guess it’s just wishful thinking or an opportunity to promote a player.

Listen, there are some very good signs if someone is being considered for the first few rounds. One thing that very few know about is the drug testing that the MLSB does for those being considered as early picks. So if someone thinks they are going to be selected early, but they haven’t been contacted for drug testing… They are simply a victim of wishful thinking. Now if they have been tested by MLB, that is a very good sign that they “might” get drafted early.

The results of these drug tests are kept very confidential. However, it could be somewhat revealing if a sure first round type, who is considered signable, drops into the lower rounds. There have been discussions here about what makes a player more projectable than another player. There are two basic ingredients that allow for projection. (Body Type/Size and Physical Abilities/Natural Talent)

The fact is… A young player who tests positive to PEDs can in fact quit doing that, but think about it, that player just can’t possibly be given much in the way of a projection score. Hard to think he will become better after he quits using PEDs.

There are several other signs that signal potential early round possibilities. Also signs that someone is not yet being considered for the early rounds. Of course, things can change in a hurry.
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Gosh, I would love to be naive here and say that PEDs dont happen at the hs level... but I know otherwise.

Acutally, the players themselves can spot the PED users a mile away. SO CAN THE MLB.

They only use the test as confirmation.


It is only a short time away that hs, ncaa, milb and mlb are on the same page and everyone can test.
quote:
Originally posted by playfair:
Gosh, I would love to be naive here and say that PEDs dont happen at the hs level... but I know otherwise.

Acutally, the players themselves can spot the PED users a mile away. SO CAN THE MLB.

Nope, don't agree

They only use the test as confirmation.

Nope, don't agree.


It is only a short time away that hs, ncaa, milb and mlb are on the same page and everyone can test.

Wish you were right, but nope, don't think this is a short time away, or even close to occuring.

The Milb testing is broad based.
Failure to be available, on 24 hours notice, even during the off season, is considered a failed test.
Players need to keep MLB informed of where they can be contacted and available within 24 hours...at all times during the off season.
Testing is surely for PED's but it is for far more. Tests for alcohol, street drugs, medications that are subject to lawful prescriptions, over the counter medications and the like are all detected in the testing/screen.
If a player is taking medications lawfully, such as an asthma medication, they need to notify MLB and their team in advance, have the medication/prescription and physician treating them identified and cleared. Otherwise, even properly taken and prescribed medications will be considered a violation of the Milb drug tests.
The Milb testing is far more rigorous that MLB because Milb players have no union and no bargaining power.
What they cannot yet do is test for things like HGH. From what I understand, the current generation of HGH approved testing requires drawing of blood.
To me, that is going to test the legitimate limits of how far MLB and Bud can go in imposing their power on Milb players, and now, as PG points out, on players who are subject to the draft.
I will not be surprised if there are some challenges to testing players before the draft.
That has some analogies to testing people who apply for jobs, before they are offered the job.
Drawing blood or other types of invasive type testing could also create an entirely new set of issues and contentions.
Last edited by infielddad
quote:
Originally posted by infielddad:
quote:
Originally posted by playfair:
Gosh, I would love to be naive here and say that PEDs dont happen at the hs level... but I know otherwise.

Acutally, the players themselves can spot the PED users a mile away. SO CAN THE MLB.

Nope, don't agree

They only use the test as confirmation.

Nope, don't agree.


It is only a short time away that hs, ncaa, milb and mlb are on the same page and everyone can test.

Wish you were right, but nope, don't think this is a short time away, or even close to occuring.



Agree completely with infielddad on this. 100%.
quote:
Originally posted by PGStaff:
There are always three or four times as many who think they’re going in the first round than there are actual first round picks. Guess it’s just wishful thinking or an opportunity to promote a player.


I think you could apply this comment to the top-5 rounds...maybe even top-10. I don't know if its wishful thinking beyond Round 1 or not...but there are many scouts who tell a player to be ready to drafted in the first 5 or 10 rounds...and it doesn't happen that way.
While getting drafted and playing Milb is truly a great achievement of skill and talent, and a great opportunity, I would never, ever call it a "blessing."
18-24 year old players think they are playing a game.
They are playing for those who know it is business, a very tough business.
There are many descriptions. Personally, I would not view the business of baseball as a "blessing."
I get your point, inffielddad. Maybe a better word would be an 'honor'or 'great recognition'. In some cases, maybe in most cases, it seems it might work best for those that can say 'no' to the honor and go get their degree - or at least 3/4 of a degree before they bolt for professional baseball. Especially if they are not a top 10 rounder.

Either way, being drafted is a great thing to be able to tell your grandchildren. I would say it is a great thing to be able to tell your children but they really wouldn't care. Smile
quote:
While getting drafted and playing Milb is truly a great achievement of skill and talent, and a great opportunity, I would never, ever call it a "blessing."
18-24 year old players think they are playing a game.
They are playing for those who know it is business, a very tough business.
There are many descriptions. Personally, I would not view the business of baseball as a "blessing."



Maybe if you put the word 'mixed' in front of it....

Smile
quote:
Originally posted by saintpetrel:
quote:
While getting drafted and playing Milb is truly a great achievement of skill and talent, and a great opportunity, I would never, ever call it a "blessing."
18-24 year old players think they are playing a game.
They are playing for those who know it is business, a very tough business.
There are many descriptions. Personally, I would not view the business of baseball as a "blessing."



Maybe if you put the word 'mixed' in front of it....

Smile


Now that is a very nice touch.
saint, I assume your son is now starting his first ST?
He is going to see some very, very good baseball players and he is going to see he belongs with about every one of them.
Along the way, he will see some tough things, like when they start releasing players near April 1.
Like you say, "mixed."
Good luck. Hope you get to see some ST.
It is really, really fun. Nothing much like it in baseball, for players and parents alike, unless he gets a call to the MLB game and some innings there...and a per diem to go with it. Now that really is FUN!
quote:
Originally posted by infielddad:
While getting drafted and playing Milb is truly a great achievement of skill and talent, and a great opportunity, I would never, ever call it a "blessing."
18-24 year old players think they are playing a game.
They are playing for those who know it is business, a very tough business.
There are many descriptions. Personally, I would not view the business of baseball as a "blessing."


I have to agree and a pretty fair assessment on calling being drafted a blessing.
Only a few get those blessings, becoming millionaires before they get to step on the ML field.
I was listening to someone talking about success at the major league level, success to some is measured by your callup, I am not sure anything else is considered successful in the game. Futher success is how long you stick and how many millions you can make after arbitration and your personal best achievements.
I just read that the cardinals recently released a 2008 drafted player, I guess some teams are giving less time than the contract you sign when you are drafted. And he had a nice bonus too.
I also read that they are so packed with pitchers, that many players will have to stick where they were last season, and wait for injuries to happen to move up the ladder. I am not sure of other teams, but the cardinals end up signing most of their drafted players, which means by 2010 draft many will be gone.
This isn't an easy business that's for sure!

I am not sure a scout can spot a player that uses PED's, or players can either.

saintpetrel,
Best of luck to your son.
If Crosscheckers are showing up and video being taken and texting between player and area scouts, Medical records being sent off to 3 teams, but no home visits scheduled or drug testing, etc.
what level of interest is being generated?

The kid is doing his part, hitting two homers in 4 games and batting over .450 with 9 homers and 16 extra base hits for the season, so far. So, when the scouts are watching they are seeing good things.

I know it is a silly question, since all will be revealed in about 60 days. It is difficult as a parent watching events unfold to not try to understand what is taking place.

Do crosscheckers show up and video shot for players under consideration for all 50 rounds?
Last edited by floridafan
quote:
Originally posted by floridafan:
If Crosscheckers are showing up and video being taken and texting between player and area scouts, Medical records being sent off to 3 teams, but no home visits scheduled or drug testing, etc.
what level of interest is being generated?

The kid is doing his part, hitting two homers in 4 games and batting over .450 with 9 homers and 16 extra base hits for the season, so far. So, when the scouts are watching they are seeing good things.

I know it is a silly question, since all will be revealed in about 60 days. It is difficult as a parent watching events unfold to not try to understand what is taking place.

Do crosscheckers show up and video shot for players under consideration for all 50 rounds?


There are no home visits necessary unless your son is at home (HS), and most scouts do not involve parents of college players.
Crosscheckers and video of players might be for first 20 round consideration, JMO.
The player may be drafted from no team he has ever spoken with.

If player is a top round consideration (the bonus babies under consideration), the GM has probably showed up and the drug test has been requested.
Last edited by TPM
My son is being considered for the draft and I talk to scouts and such a few times a week on interest and so on . All of them tell me and my son that nothing serious will take place until May when they will give more definitive terms on his status as far as the draft is concerned . He has been videotaped and interviewed , we have have filled out 25 questionaires , medical and signing bonus related questions . Right now we really have no idea where he may or may not go . It is exciting for me as a father but next month should be very interesting . Oh yea , he will throw for a team on June 1st at their spring training site , so wish him luck .

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