MLB 2013 Draft - Surprised They Weren't Picked!?

I believe this is the second year in a row that the Big South Player of the Year was not drafted.  I think Bowman from Coastal won the award last year, and he was not drafted.  

If he's a senior, then it may be better for him to not get drafted. He'd be getting minimum money anyway, but if he was drafted then he'd be locked into that one team for negotiations. I'd assume he may still get an opportunity to play somewhere, but he can pick the best fit for himself.

In years past, a kid who'd already said he wouldn't sign for peanuts would be given that "unsignable" tag, but maybe somebody would take a flier on him in the late rounds.

With the trimming of the draft from 50 to 40 rounds, that's 10 fewer picks per team to play with, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that there are fewer fliers being taken on unsignables.  Still some, but not as many.

Bear in mind that not everyone wants to go pro.  I know it's hard to believe, but a guy can sometimes see that (a) they aren't offering me any money to speak of now, (b) I have seen what future major leaguers look like and I'm not one of them, and (c) I have an actual, paying job waiting for me out in the real world and I don't want to postpone my adulthood to chase something that isn't realistic. 

The better the player was as a student, the more likely it is he would come to that conclusion.  Bear in mind, Rookie ball pays something like $7,200/year.  If you make it to A ball, you get a raise to the whopping salary of $11,000.  Even in today's economy, most jobs landed by college grads pay many times that, and they don't involve living the vagabond/food stamps lifestyle typical of MiLB.

But do most jobs include a "spread" of concession stand hot dogs, crappy pizza, or stale sandwiches? Now that's living, Jack!

Well said Midlo. Sometimes I think folks forget that most of these kids signing their commitment letters and playing "on the next level" will never play MLB. Most college players realize that and simply play for the love of the game (and a 25% tuition break).

I don't think sign ability was a deterrent, from what I recall I don't think Rob was a Mlb prospect out of HS and as a graduating senior I'm sure he knew that he had limited (zero) bargaining options...

With the trimming of the draft from 50 to 40 rounds, that's 10 fewer picks per team to play with

That's a very good point..... 

Bear in mind that not everyone wants to go pro. 

True, if you have come to accept that you will not make it in the Pro's... and as you progress from Little League to Middle School to High School to College it all falls into place - meaning the acceptance that it's time to hang up the spikes becomes clearer and clearer....

But the player of the year and first team ACBA - I would have to believe that this individual would believe that he is still capable of playing beyond college?

I have an actual, paying job waiting for me out in the real world

I truly wish this were the case for more kids these days coming out of college, however based on my experience (which is not as vast as yours) I have seen a lot of good ball players, good kids and good students who have graduated with degrees struggle to find employment. Personally I believe that most would not forego the draft opportunity in lieu of employment, because IMO for the majority - employment is not always readily available in the field of degree, especially with ball players.

Maybe I shouldn't be surprised - a player who has had a great college career and received some wonderful accolades doesn't necessarily equate into a Pro Pick. the reference to Bowman is another good example that I wasn't aware of.....

If he's a senior, then it may be better for him to not get drafted. He'd be getting minimum money anyway, but if he was drafted then he'd be locked into that one team for negotiations. I'd assume he may still get an opportunity to play somewhere, but he can pick the best fit for himself.

This is interesting, please clarify and help me understand.

If a player goes un-drafted and is therefore going the free agent route, such player can tryout for as many teams as he desires and then bargain amongst those teams who have interest (if there are multiple teams) for the best and most appropriate opportunity?

Well, yeah, but ...

I don't think they can offer a signing bonus of more than $100,000, which is pretty much irrelevant, as there are almost never bonuses in any amounts for undrafted free agents.  The most you could negotiate would be, if you had multiple offers, to choose the MLB franchise you thought offered the best opportunity, or the best location for your first assignment, or maybe just the team you've always loved all your life.

Flying Dutchman,

That's true, but I'd be careful with the word "bargain". There won't be much bargaining on the player's part. If someone goes undrafted, they are likely going to get minimal or no signing bonus, so they'd just get the standard minor league contract with salaries that Midlo Dad noted. 

But that player will have the flexibility to sign with any team that has interest, so he can pick the best fit for him organizationally.

Dickinson had a nasty collison with a teammate in late April that seperated his shoulder.  He didn't look the same after that injury and scouts backed off a little.  That could be why he didnt get drafted

I stumbled across this site during work but anyways, I am Rob Dickinson. "Wahoo24" is correct, I crashed into VMI's own SS and dislocated my right shoulder. I continued to play after my shoulder was set back in place and a week to ten days later I tore something while swinging during the VMI vs. Liberty game. I ended tearing both labrums in my right should and eventually had to have shoulder surgery. Hope that clarifies everything for everyone. 

Hope you can give it another go if rehab proves successful.  Enjoyed watching you play in the Big South against PC.

Mr. Dickinson,

my younger son 2B/RHP tore his labrum and was never the same player as well...he ended up coming back the following year as a side arm pitcher but velocity was not the same and hurt his chances to go to 3 Colleges who were interested at the time.  I hope you the best of luck in the future.