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Perplexed after watching the MLB draft last night

VectorVector1,000+ posts
Aside from the fact that Bud Selig could put a charging elephant to sleep, I could not help notice how pathetic the broadcast was. I also noticed how only one kid showed up like they do in football and basketball. Granted kids who are still in the NCAA tourney wont be there, but many kids(HS and college) are done with their seasons.
One of the broadcasters made a comment about the kids not wanting to show up because it "might hurt their draft value". What on earth was he talking about?

Harold Reynolds implored the kids to come out next year because "it was for and about them". I know if my son were good enough to be drafted in the 1st round we all would be there if he was not playing. It was nice to see the one boy and his father show up. He had lost his mother this past Christmas, and that was part of the lead in story.

MLB has a long way to go if they are going to generate the interest in the draft that both the NBA and the NFL generate. The first step is to get rid of Bud as the announcer. Just let him be there to take the picture, but keep him off the mic because he could put a meth addict looking to score asleep.

--- It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. Theodore Roosevelt - April 23, 1910

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RJMRJMHSBaseballWeb member since 2007
quote:
One of the broadcasters made a comment about the kids not wanting to show up because it "might hurt their draft value". What on earth was he talking about?
High school players, JuCo players and four year college twenty-one year olds who are not seniors have bargaining leverage. They can sign or play college ball the following year.

The MLB draft is a snore for typical baseball fans. Unlike the NFL or NBA draft the drafted players aren't going to impact their team next season. They may never impact their team. I'll bet the average baseball fan doesn't know who their team's first round pick is from last year.
Last edited by RJM
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
I don't get being perplexed.

Except for the first few, no one really knows where anyone will fall in the MLB draft on draft day. I don't agree with what Harold Reynolds said.

There is NOTHING saying these players will DEFINETLY sign a pro contract, even first rounders. Don't forget, Cole passed up first pick for the yankees a few years back.

The next step for these players is negotiating for their bonus. I would assume if one showed up, they could most likely have indicated they would sign quickly for whatever they (the team) are willing to pay.
infielddadinfielddad10,000+ posts
For the NFL and NBA, most all of those who show up have already declared for the draft and taken those steps to give up the balance of their collegiate eligibility. They cannot go back to college.
Not so in baseball with any HS senior, JC player or college junior. None of them should have taken any actions to jeopardize the balance of that eligibility in ways that occur with the NFL or NBA. Baseball players with eligibility remaining don't declare for the draft. The draft declares its desire with them.
To show up, I would think any player would have to pay the travel, hotel, food, car/taxi etc from their checkbook.
I could be wrong on this. I doubt the NCAA would say it is just fine for MLB to pay or reimburse those expenses?
If one of these players showed up, and loses their college eligibility, they lose all bargaining power and leverage.
Lastly, even if they are not still playing, some of the student/athletes are still in school and close to if not in the middle of exams.
Last edited by infielddad
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
Can you just see the look on the college coaches face who signed those kids to come play out of HS?

Seems like that act alone (showing up) could be seen as disrespectful. FWIW, most likely any HS player drafted and not signed will be (barring injury) a very high pick 3 years from now. Talent really never goes away, it only gets better.

I may be wrong but I think a first round pick didn't sign last year and went to FL?

My opinion is, and this is not to insult anyone, but I think that the more parents understand the ENTIRE process, from recruiting to the draft, to college baseball to the draft, the farther your sons will move forward.

Information is POWER. The more you know the more you understand how things work, the more successful your players will be, regardless of their talent level.

JMO.
coach2709coach270910,000+ posts
quote:
Lastly, even if they are not still playing, some of the student/athletes are still in school and close to if not in the middle of exams.


Very true statement. We had a kid drafted today and are taking our finals this week. Our guidance counselor jokingly made the comment he could be in the middle of a math final, get the phone call and say to heck with it and walk out of the test because he's getting paid. It was a funny comment but very true in that he could have gotten the call in the middle of his test.
RJMRJMHSBaseballWeb member since 2007
quote:
Originally posted by coach2709:
quote:
Lastly, even if they are not still playing, some of the student/athletes are still in school and close to if not in the middle of exams.


Very true statement. We had a kid drafted today and are taking our finals this week. Our guidance counselor jokingly made the comment he could be in the middle of a math final, get the phone call and say to heck with it and walk out of the test because he's getting paid. It was a funny comment but very true in that he could have gotten the call in the middle of his test.
When a friend's son (college junior) was fairly sure he was going to be a first round pick he stoppped worrying about falling asleep in class. I guess the good news was he still went. Another friend would get texts from his son saying "Billy" is asleep in class again.
VectorVector1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by infielddad:
Lastly, even if they are not still playing, some of the student/athletes are still in school and close to if not in the middle of exams.


All good points, especially this one which I had not even thought about.

I just wish college baseball would have more positive exposure on different levels like other college sports. The TV coverage is minimal comparatively, and there is no May Madness with office pools like there is for basketball with March Madness.

As to the MLB draft, it seems an odd choice to hold it now.
TPMTPMHSBaseballweb Member since 2003
Vector,
When would you suggest would be a good time to hold the ML draft? In the next few weeks drafted players will begin playing in short season teams and filling in for full season teams so some can have some rest. It's along season. IMO, except for the first 5 rounds, it is very much a boring tedious process. I hear there is talk of cutting down on draft rounds, perhaps some would like that better. I would, then they can allow those that began the season to remain, instead of being released to most players who will also never get passed A ball.

JMO.

64 teams down to 8 in 2 weeks to 8 for some is comparable to March Madness for some. I found coverage on TV to be really good, we got regional games as out of region games, not sure which system you use.

You want to to go to the best venue in college sports, take a trip to Omaha, something you will NEVER forget.
zombywoofzombywoof1,000+ posts
Most people could care less about the draft. Bud Selig or anbody else isn't going to make a difference for most bsaseball fans. As for the player showing up on draft day, what's the big deal if he does or he doesn't. Suppose he shows up and don't get picked. Then he looks pretty stupid for showing up and comes off cocky or desperate to sign..Who knows. Again, this is a perception from an average fan.

As for me, I never follow the MLB draft. Partly because my team always picks towards the end.

However, this year I followed it because a local kid from our HS was projected to go anywhere between round one and round three. He was an early second round pick. If it weren't for that, no way I'd be watching. I might go thru the draft board a few days later to see which players from the state get drafted but that's about it.
Last edited by zombywoof
playfairplayfair500+ posts
I enjoyed the first day coverage. Bud is bad for sure but I enjoyed the Hultzen home video feed. I think more video feed is the way to go and I love Harold Reynolds. Keep it coming.

Why dont more kids show up?

Remember how showing up for the NFL draft worked out for Brady Quinn? I will never forget watching that boy squirm in his chair all live on camera slipping in the draft until someone ushered him up to a private room.

It was tough to watch. I am sure it was way harder to feel.

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