For those of you whose son's were drafted in college, any insight?
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Stay away from Boras and his henchmen. 
I think a lot depends on the "prospect-ability" (a new word ) of the player and any prior experience the player's parents may have with a draft situation (e.g., already had one son drafted). Players that are expected to go after the 10th round may not feel the need to consult with an advisor, because they may believe that the advisor can't offer them much assistance. Other players who are expected to go in the 4th thru 10th rounds might well benefit from an advisor to help not just with suggestions in dealing with negotiations, but with understanding the whole process and acting as a PR man/woman for the player ... to help improve their visibility if you will ... during their "draft season". And as far as top prospects ... well, they probably could use an advisor to help them through the rough spots and all the stress that goes with the attention and contacts from the scouts ... that wasn't something our son had to worry about at all 
On a personal level, our son found it helpful to have an advisor, especially in the last month before the draft as he sustained a minor muscle strain that kept him from his last 3 or 4 starts. I won't say that he panicked, but I do know that it helped all of us, including fiance, to meet with his advisor to discuss the situation and what he should do, what he was willing to negotiate bonus-wise if he was drafted lower than the 10th round.
As far as Boras ... I guess if a player is so good that Boras et al would even consider working with him .... well, he has a different set of concerns altogether than other players. Our son's advisor-now-agent has represented some high draft picks in the past couple of years and was advising a local star until the rug was pulled out from under him and another high profile advisor talked with the father of the player, and the next thing the first advisor knew was he was no longer in the mix. It was interesting, too, as the player really liked his former advisor but dad made the decision for him ...
Anyway, these thoughts are based on our son's experience and that of some of his former college teammates who were drafted in the past 3 years.
) of the player and any prior experience the player's parents may have with a draft situation (e.g., already had one son drafted). Players that are expected to go after the 10th round may not feel the need to consult with an advisor, because they may believe that the advisor can't offer them much assistance. Other players who are expected to go in the 4th thru 10th rounds might well benefit from an advisor to help not just with suggestions in dealing with negotiations, but with understanding the whole process and acting as a PR man/woman for the player ... to help improve their visibility if you will ... during their "draft season". And as far as top prospects ... well, they probably could use an advisor to help them through the rough spots and all the stress that goes with the attention and contacts from the scouts ... that wasn't something our son had to worry about at all On a personal level, our son found it helpful to have an advisor, especially in the last month before the draft as he sustained a minor muscle strain that kept him from his last 3 or 4 starts. I won't say that he panicked, but I do know that it helped all of us, including fiance, to meet with his advisor to discuss the situation and what he should do, what he was willing to negotiate bonus-wise if he was drafted lower than the 10th round.
As far as Boras ... I guess if a player is so good that Boras et al would even consider working with him .... well, he has a different set of concerns altogether than other players. Our son's advisor-now-agent has represented some high draft picks in the past couple of years and was advising a local star until the rug was pulled out from under him and another high profile advisor talked with the father of the player, and the next thing the first advisor knew was he was no longer in the mix. It was interesting, too, as the player really liked his former advisor but dad made the decision for him ...
Anyway, these thoughts are based on our son's experience and that of some of his former college teammates who were drafted in the past 3 years.
TPM,
Mine was a 9th rounder in 2004, drafted out of a JuCo where I was coaching.
We elected not to have an advisor. I had a pretty good idea that he was going to go somewhere between the 8th and 15th round. The family talked it over and we just decided based upon the info we had and that unless he was going to be in the $500,000 or more dollar range, an advisor/agent was not necessary.
Some folks may think otherwise and that is o.k. This is what we did and every family and their situation is different. He and all of the other young men that have been drafted, regardless of where it was are very fortunate.
O42
Mine was a 9th rounder in 2004, drafted out of a JuCo where I was coaching.
We elected not to have an advisor. I had a pretty good idea that he was going to go somewhere between the 8th and 15th round. The family talked it over and we just decided based upon the info we had and that unless he was going to be in the $500,000 or more dollar range, an advisor/agent was not necessary.
Some folks may think otherwise and that is o.k. This is what we did and every family and their situation is different. He and all of the other young men that have been drafted, regardless of where it was are very fortunate.
O42
TPM, based on our experience, I feel there are 3 major factors in the choice to have an advisor.
The first is how much you know about the draft, dealing with scouts, money, slotting, etc.
The second is where you expect to be selected. At some point the choice is made for you by the "advisors" as was the case with our son. Beyond the 10th round, there is not much incentive for them. For the first 5 rounds I think it would be critical unless you really know the breadth of issues that can be addressed even down to Fall instrux.
The third and most important, I believe, is the ability of your son to focus on baseball and perform as if the draft did not exist. This requires a singular focus because the draft year is one every player knows is critical. Whether you are a first pick or projected as a filler, if you desperately want that chance to be drafted, seeing scouts or not seeing scouts at games/practices, and dealing with the indecision/anxiety that comes with the process can be an enormous distraction. An advisor should be an enormous help to minimize the distractions and maximize the opportunity to perform for some.
One of the reasons I am amazed at my son's experience is he did get a fair amount of activity from scouts, wanted to be drafted about as badly as anything in his life, got varying responses from a draft position as high as the 10th round to might get a chance as a free agent. Never once complained, found one scout he believed in and trusted for advice and had the best year he ever had in baseball. Struggled a bit with grades
but his focus was unbelieveable. I know it is not something I could have done.
The first is how much you know about the draft, dealing with scouts, money, slotting, etc.
The second is where you expect to be selected. At some point the choice is made for you by the "advisors" as was the case with our son. Beyond the 10th round, there is not much incentive for them. For the first 5 rounds I think it would be critical unless you really know the breadth of issues that can be addressed even down to Fall instrux.
The third and most important, I believe, is the ability of your son to focus on baseball and perform as if the draft did not exist. This requires a singular focus because the draft year is one every player knows is critical. Whether you are a first pick or projected as a filler, if you desperately want that chance to be drafted, seeing scouts or not seeing scouts at games/practices, and dealing with the indecision/anxiety that comes with the process can be an enormous distraction. An advisor should be an enormous help to minimize the distractions and maximize the opportunity to perform for some.
One of the reasons I am amazed at my son's experience is he did get a fair amount of activity from scouts, wanted to be drafted about as badly as anything in his life, got varying responses from a draft position as high as the 10th round to might get a chance as a free agent. Never once complained, found one scout he believed in and trusted for advice and had the best year he ever had in baseball. Struggled a bit with grades
but his focus was unbelieveable. I know it is not something I could have done.
I was just wondering, is it the advisors role to help the player along the way with advice way before the draft, or should the player look for advice from coaches and others closer to him and his situation until it really counts.
I understnand some of the ins and outs of the advisor/agents role, but when does the time actually come to begin getting advice that actually will mean something?
In HS, we pretty much had contact with any and all advisors, there were issues others didn't have and we didn't think son at 18 could make the decision of who could give him the best advice as there were difference of opinion. Now it is pretty much left to son I suppose, and not sure how much we should put into the whole process. I feel it is a bit too early to have others knocking at your door, but we have no control over that. I told my son what only matters is what his coaches tell him at this point, all other opinions should be just politely put aside until the time comes. I just don't like the whole courting thing, the vultures coming out, when player has other things on his mind like school and only his sophomore year.
Don't get me wrong, son knows an advisor that he likes very much but there is no definite committment about anything. While this is ok, I was surprised to find out that others are lurking in the background.
I understnand some of the ins and outs of the advisor/agents role, but when does the time actually come to begin getting advice that actually will mean something?
In HS, we pretty much had contact with any and all advisors, there were issues others didn't have and we didn't think son at 18 could make the decision of who could give him the best advice as there were difference of opinion. Now it is pretty much left to son I suppose, and not sure how much we should put into the whole process. I feel it is a bit too early to have others knocking at your door, but we have no control over that. I told my son what only matters is what his coaches tell him at this point, all other opinions should be just politely put aside until the time comes. I just don't like the whole courting thing, the vultures coming out, when player has other things on his mind like school and only his sophomore year.
Don't get me wrong, son knows an advisor that he likes very much but there is no definite committment about anything. While this is ok, I was surprised to find out that others are lurking in the background.
While my son (and I) had an advisor during the draft out of high school, the person he selected in college was always referred to as his agent. I met with his agent one time when he flew in to Tennessee from NY to meet with me and my son. The decision was 100% my sons and I only had one “conversation” with his agent afterwards he selected him and that was when I emailed him asking him if I could forward all inquires to him. He promptly replied with a “yes”. Unlike an advisor, an agent does ALL the negotiations with the club and can improve a prospect’s position and can help negotiate a better bonus. Immediately after signing my son secured an equipment contract..All handled by his agent. If the round is 1 to 10 I highly recommend an agent. Round 10 or above the choice is yours. But as rounds increase the signing bonus gets smaller..so the agent’s fees are smaller.
I never got the feeling the agent intervened between the scout and the player during the college season. The player must still communicate with the scouts and fill out all the necessary questionnaires and sell himself. The agent simply takes it to a higher level. They actually market the player and pull strings. There are a lot of things to consider other than the draft too. The agent basically works for free (other than the signing bonus) until the player signs a MLB contract. Consider equipment, tax returns, (state and federal) and the professional advice in general that the agent provides. I personally would opt for an agent.
Fungo
I never got the feeling the agent intervened between the scout and the player during the college season. The player must still communicate with the scouts and fill out all the necessary questionnaires and sell himself. The agent simply takes it to a higher level. They actually market the player and pull strings. There are a lot of things to consider other than the draft too. The agent basically works for free (other than the signing bonus) until the player signs a MLB contract. Consider equipment, tax returns, (state and federal) and the professional advice in general that the agent provides. I personally would opt for an agent.
Fungo
Fungo,
In HS, the agent/advisor must remain as advisor with limited role (well that always doesn't pertain, we all know that).
So now if I understand correctly, advisor while your son was in college was called an agent?
In HS, the agent/advisor must remain as advisor with limited role (well that always doesn't pertain, we all know that).
So now if I understand correctly, advisor while your son was in college was called an agent?
TPM, I think you have the nomenclature reversed. The "agent" you have in high school must be called an "advisor". 
We do joke about the advisor’s role during the high school draft, but I found the process to be above board and conducted in a manner I would consider appropriate for a normal business transaction.
As far as an agents role during the college/draft process; it really becomes a moot point once a player is draft eligible in college as to what an agent does during the process. The NCAA is focused on trying to protect the student/athlete during his transition from high school to college. What are they going to tell the 21 year old junior in college? “If your agent speaks to a representative of MLB on your behalf you will be ineligible next year?” ....If he has an agent the odds are very good he’s not going to be there anyway.
We do joke about the advisor’s role during the high school draft, but I found the process to be above board and conducted in a manner I would consider appropriate for a normal business transaction.As far as an agents role during the college/draft process; it really becomes a moot point once a player is draft eligible in college as to what an agent does during the process. The NCAA is focused on trying to protect the student/athlete during his transition from high school to college. What are they going to tell the 21 year old junior in college? “If your agent speaks to a representative of MLB on your behalf you will be ineligible next year?” ....If he has an agent the odds are very good he’s not going to be there anyway.
Fungo,
Thank you. It appears that things are a lot different from HS to pro than from college to pro. Much different.
Thank you. It appears that things are a lot different from HS to pro than from college to pro. Much different.
Fungo ...
I always felt that the advisor/agent nomenclature could be the proverbial sticky whicket, and even as a draft eligible college junior, our son never used the term agent. He was advised by his now-agent to avoid using the term because it implies a fudiciary relationship that should not exist for the still eligible college player. And when reviewing the contract and papers he had to sign for the Dbacks, there was one that he could sign where he identified who could speak on his behalf. His advisor/agent told him to not sign that as it implied an agency relationship ... and until he actually signed his contract, he wouldn't want to jeopardize his eligibility in case he elected to return to college.
We also learned that some agents have a "sliding scale" fee that depends on the round in which the player was drafted.
TPM ...
Regarding the question about 'when' the time is right for an advisor to get involved ... again I think it depends on the visibility and projectability of the player. AJ's agent was working with a very highly visible high school player (the I mentioned above) and they started working together when the player waas a junior. However, it seems that most of the players we know who had advisors/agents started working with them no later than the fall of their draft eligible year (e.g., high school was fall od senior year and college was fall before junior seasdon).
I always felt that the advisor/agent nomenclature could be the proverbial sticky whicket, and even as a draft eligible college junior, our son never used the term agent. He was advised by his now-agent to avoid using the term because it implies a fudiciary relationship that should not exist for the still eligible college player. And when reviewing the contract and papers he had to sign for the Dbacks, there was one that he could sign where he identified who could speak on his behalf. His advisor/agent told him to not sign that as it implied an agency relationship ... and until he actually signed his contract, he wouldn't want to jeopardize his eligibility in case he elected to return to college.
We also learned that some agents have a "sliding scale" fee that depends on the round in which the player was drafted.
TPM ...
Regarding the question about 'when' the time is right for an advisor to get involved ... again I think it depends on the visibility and projectability of the player. AJ's agent was working with a very highly visible high school player (the I mentioned above) and they started working together when the player waas a junior. However, it seems that most of the players we know who had advisors/agents started working with them no later than the fall of their draft eligible year (e.g., high school was fall od senior year and college was fall before junior seasdon).
After reading License to Deal, it seems that for the college student there is open (?)negotiations/discussions between ADVISOR and teams. I don't like the implications. I didn't like it when he was in HS, but my impression was that it was a whole new game for the college student.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
quote:It appears that things are a lot different from HS to pro than from college to pro.
I say yes.... but it does depend on the player and his situation. While I do agree with FBM that the agent label does indicate a business relationship the actual contract is not signed or agreed upon until after the fact. The NCAA knows the players and agents aren’t signing contracts before the draft therefore you don’t hear about college players being penalized for having a relationship with an agent. College players aren’t walking on eggshells like the high school players. At my son’s college it was not uncommon to see an agent in the stands talking to a parent or waiting to talk to “their” player. Another aspect that needs to be discussed is the college coach's interpretation of the players draft situation and how that effects his future plans. In my son's case he was asked what he was going to do if drafted and he indicated he wanted to turn pro if he were drafted in the top ten rounds. The next day the coach told him he had good news and bad news. The good news was they were sure he would be drafted in the top ten rounds and the bad news was his scholarship was gone for his senior year. Fair enough.
This might help put this in perspective. Of the seven players drafted from my son's college team all have signed pro contracts with the exception of one and he is waiting on a medical clearance to sign. If the NCAA were trying to build a case against any of those players about who said what to what "agent" obviously they would be spinning their wheels. Even if there were infractions, there would be no one left to punish.
Fungo
Fungo
quote:Even if there were infractions, there would be no one left to punish.
quote:Another aspect that needs to be discussed is the college coach's interpretation of the players draft situation and how that effects his future plans.
Very good point, Fungo. And although this wasn't a problem for our son, we do know of a local college player who really wanted to go pro after his junior season. He was pretty surprised that he didn't get drafted since he was very very signable ... and had quite a bit of interest from the scouts. He eventually learned that his college coach was telling scouts that if he were drafted, the player would not sign because getting his degree was more important to him. He ended up signing as a free agent after his junior year ... !! So I guess the moral of the story ... the player needs to know what is happening "on his behalf" and make it very clear to the scouts what his desires are. (Obviously, in this case, the player did not have an advisor but might have benefited with some "PR" on his behalf by a good advisor, as well as having the truth told.)
Good thread...good responses from everyone.
Interesting.
Interesting.
Thanks again!
TxMom ...
Wonderfully wise words. And it doesn't hurt to have experienced "friends" ... even if just cyber-buddies ... to help with those gentle reminders of who is really in control.
quote:I reminded him that God was the best agent around. He would put the right people in his path, have the right people see his gifts and talents, and take care of everything else...and He did.
Wonderfully wise words. And it doesn't hurt to have experienced "friends" ... even if just cyber-buddies ... to help with those gentle reminders of who is really in control.
IMO, I think that the fact that my son had an advisor, that the transition went better- He had someone to ask questions of, even the stupid questions so his parents would quit nagging him about the details!. Seriously, even draftees beyond the first 10 rounds can get some serious monies. The "advisor" fees are usually based on percentages,( I hear they are 3% 4% or 5% usually but vary still more) thus the fees are "affordable" My son's fees weren't due until the bonus checks came (in fact the bonus check comes in multiple checks spread out over time and the fees are also spread proportionately) I think my son, who didnt want to "go it alone" and his parents interviewed 4 companies/individuals of the 10 or so who showed interest in serving him and gave the whole thing plenty of time to choose the "right" fit as an advisor. In fact, son said he wanted the decission done by the end of January preceeding the draft, and the decision was announced and calls went out on the last day of January.
The scout didnt really want to deal with an advisor, but 1) son indicated he wanted to play no matter how high or low the bonus was and 2) son insisted that any negotiations were civil (he was the one who has to work for that company (team) thus didnt want the pressure that nasty negotiations could bring) so the scout reported that he didnt mind the advisor since things went smoothly for him.
Son is very comportable with the advisor/agent he selected. I also would offer my recommendation of this advisor should I be asked (but never over this board- just not the right place to advertise and "sell' services!)
My last 2-cents: Dont undersell your player's potential- you will NEVER really know what round and position that he will be selected until the draft is over. Many, many players feel that they will go in the top few rounds, but fall way off for "whatever" reasons. AND there are a few that get drafted much sooner then they "think" they will. ((In our case, we felt deep down that the top 10 rounds were probably out of the question due to poor stats and poor performances his junior year. If we didnt get an advisor based on that "get one only if you are going in the top ten" rule of thumb, we would have been "up the creek".... but son was drafted in the top 10 rounds, and he had advisor (who by the way kept telling son that the top 10 rounds was realistic- a very positive and steady influence all along) The scolly could be in jepoardy, as indicated in Fungos post tho, but in many programs, the seniors scollys are in jeopardy anyway- draft or no draft, bascally because he's a ....well a senior, where else would he go to play as a senior, who would accept a transfer player with only one year left who didn't make the impact to be considered for draft? ((Before you beat me up, I know there are plently of players who have a choice and stay for their senior year...but they are the exception, not the rule.
The scout didnt really want to deal with an advisor, but 1) son indicated he wanted to play no matter how high or low the bonus was and 2) son insisted that any negotiations were civil (he was the one who has to work for that company (team) thus didnt want the pressure that nasty negotiations could bring) so the scout reported that he didnt mind the advisor since things went smoothly for him.
Son is very comportable with the advisor/agent he selected. I also would offer my recommendation of this advisor should I be asked (but never over this board- just not the right place to advertise and "sell' services!)
My last 2-cents: Dont undersell your player's potential- you will NEVER really know what round and position that he will be selected until the draft is over. Many, many players feel that they will go in the top few rounds, but fall way off for "whatever" reasons. AND there are a few that get drafted much sooner then they "think" they will. ((In our case, we felt deep down that the top 10 rounds were probably out of the question due to poor stats and poor performances his junior year. If we didnt get an advisor based on that "get one only if you are going in the top ten" rule of thumb, we would have been "up the creek".... but son was drafted in the top 10 rounds, and he had advisor (who by the way kept telling son that the top 10 rounds was realistic- a very positive and steady influence all along) The scolly could be in jepoardy, as indicated in Fungos post tho, but in many programs, the seniors scollys are in jeopardy anyway- draft or no draft, bascally because he's a ....well a senior, where else would he go to play as a senior, who would accept a transfer player with only one year left who didn't make the impact to be considered for draft? ((Before you beat me up, I know there are plently of players who have a choice and stay for their senior year...but they are the exception, not the rule.
