[Trevor Toberny]

I am asking on here and not a PM because I know others might have some exp with this also.

Hey Ken remember us talking about a friend of mine son who is a high school pitcher and we were talking about ALL the Div-1 schools and pro scouts that had been coming to all his games.He had 3 Pro teams offer him 15-20 day contracts from 15-40 thousand dollars.Sounds good but if he does he will lose all eligabality for college and he has alot of Full Rides.He was thinking of div-1 but has decided he wants to go to a JC then transfer after a year or 2.He has had about 15 pro temas contact his Dad about him going in the Draft but he doesnt want his son going and living on a Bus and playing single A when he could play just as good of talent in college and he can get his education and he isnt having to pay for college.He was offered Full rides to OU,Tex. Tech,Houston,UTA,Cent. Arkansas,Ole Miss,Tarleton,Baylor,Sam Houston ST,Tulane and ALOT of JC.My question is what is your opinion on these 15-20 day contracts?

He throws a Fastball thats hitting 92 and he has an Change up that is low 80's and has 2 curveballs and one he can throw 65-68 and one about 85.He is 6 ft 1 and 150 lbs soaking wet.Heis Dad is 6'7 and about 250 and he didnt start growing until he hit college so he probably has some growing to do.

 

[maxx]

Obviously Ken is more qualified to answer this but this is my take, I did play a little college football also so I feel somewhat qualified.

If this is my kid I would advise him to get his education first for several reasons. I don't know the exact stats but I think the actual percentage of guys that make it from single A teams to the bigs is real small. This kid has a chance to get his entire education paid for.

Sounds like he has some talent but he isn't Jeter or A-rod, a kid that is going to break into the starting line up. I bet this kid has some serious growing to do.

While I don't have a good feeling about college sports anymore (they are all about the business) I think this is smart for this kid. That education is worth 50,000 - 100,000.

 

[maxx]

Oh I do know a kid that was in the same boat as your friends son.

He took the 30k signing bonus and lived out of hotels and busses for a year then got cut. Now he is digging ditches as a union labrorer.

 

[K G]

That education is worth 50,000 - 100,000.

That is what it COSTS to acquire.

What it is WORTH is inestimable.

Just sayin'...............

kg

 

[Ken Guthrie]

There are a lot of questions to answer here.........

First off........whoever's telling you they were offered a 15-20 contract is full of BS. There is no such thing. I don't know where this is coming from.

Second.........

College vs. Pro............

It depends.........

First off, generally, if a kid signs out of high school he normally will negotiate payment for college education in his contract. Major League Baseball has some sort of program in which the kid must enroll in a certain amount of time after his last professional game and completion must be accomplished in a certain amount of time also.

So, if my son is drafted and offered a life changing amount of money, I would recommend him to sign. Hoping that I've raised him right and he would attend school if his playing career didn't work out.

I always hear that "I'd rather my son go to school vs. sign for a million. Schools too important."

BS..........You can always go back to school but you can't always make a million. :wink:

Finally.........Usually only the first 28 picks in the draft are offered million dollar contracts.

The team I coached in 05' had 2 kids sign million dollar contracts so far. One was the #7 pick overall by the Dodgers and the other was drafted in the 13th round, went to a JC instead of signing and just signed for 1.1 million with the team that drafted him. That team would have lost his rights with draft coming up. That kid would have been draft eligible again if he wasn't signed.

Of that team, 7 signed Div. 1 scholarships, 8 have been drafted, and the rest are playing college ball at some level.

What's the kids name........I'll find out the skinny on him. I'll let you know if his dad is feeding you BS or not. A few phone calls to some scouts and I'll know all I need to know. :wink:

 

[Trevor Toberny]

He said he was offered a 15-20 Day contract.There were a few teams that offered 15 day contract and the Royals offered him a 20 day contract.

 

[Trevor Toberny]

they told him he isnt a 1st -3rd round pick and he wouldnt be offered alot of money from draft.He has a teamate that is a consenus 1st or 2nd round named Alex Cairo.

 

[Ken Guthrie]

He said he was offered a 15-20 Day contract.There were a few teams that offered 15 day contract and the Royals offered him a 20 day contract.

This is complete BS. I think your friend is telling you fibs.

 

[Trevor Toberny]

hmmm I wonder what he is talking about then.I believe you thats why I asked.

 

[Trevor Toberny]

I know the rest of it is true just for the fact that I had been to alot of hiss games and have been at his house when scouts have come over after the games and have taken his parents to dinner and one of the mlb teams took him to the rangers game a few weeks ago.He pitched a one hitter with 16 K's in a regional playoff game and they had about 15 scouts there and several of them kept asking his Dad DURING the game while his son is pitching if he could go out of the bleachers so they could talk.

 

[Chris Miller]

As someone that used to be in the know Ken is right "BS". There is no such thing as one month contract. Why would anyone sign it? First off if they only wanted to offer such short term contract you would get 500 bucks and a plain ticket. 15-20 days and lose eligibility. And even if this was true he would not be playing single A, It would be rookie ball in an independent league.

Scouts are a dime a dozen at high school baseball games. They will talk with any parent willing to listen. The fact that the kid is a good HS baseball player I believe the fact that the kids dad thinks he is much better than he really is, is even greater. Next time just node and smile he blowing smoke up your....

 

[Trevor Toberny]

thats just what he said is he would be playing in single A.I am just glad his education is going to be free no matter where he goes.

 

[Trevor Toberny]

OK so now I am confused because the Ranger game just ended and the after game show said they signed in a pitcher from the Reds minor to a 15 day contract. :roll:

 

[Chris Miller]

Player # 1 was placed on 15 day DL
Player # 2 called up For 15 day while Player 1 is gone.

 

[Ken Guthrie]

Fowldaddy, I think you mistook the MLB or NBA. :lol:

No 15 day contracts...........

Yes, 15 day DL's (disabled list), but no contract.

Let's see, I know the coach a OU, UT, A&M, ect. If you give me the kids name I can find out real quick if he is fibbin'.
:wink:

 

[Ken Guthrie]

Now, there is a rule that somewhat goes like this....................

A player which is drafted out of high school can void his contract before 60 days and regain college eligibility. Although, player must forfeit any earnings he recieved.

It's something along those lines but it RARELY happens.

 

[TroyW]

I maybe wrong, but I think the thing here is if you get drafted high enough you sign the contract. If not you go onto to play college. I think then you can't reenter the draft for 2-3 years? Gut? ANd I don't care who you are if you are an 18 year old kid drafted in the majors you are going to start in single A. YOu may progress fast but you're starting there. If he-s not drafted in the first 10-12 rounds and has a chance to play at Texas, to me that's a no brainer. Just my .02
Troy

 

[K G]

If he-s not drafted in the first 10-12 rounds and has a chance to play at Texas, to me that's a no brainer.

Ditto.

kg

 

[Trevor Toberny]

OU was one of the teams but not A&M or UT.It was Texas Tech.

 

[Ken Guthrie]

I maybe wrong, but I think the thing here is if you get drafted high enough you sign the contract. If not you go onto to play college. I think then you can't reenter the draft for 2-3 years? Gut? ANd I don't care who you are if you are an 18 year old kid drafted in the majors you are going to start in single A. YOu may progress fast but you're starting there. If he-s not drafted in the first 10-12 rounds and has a chance to play at Texas, to me that's a no brainer. Just my .02
Troy

Kind of but not really.......... :wink:

If you get drafted and do not sign, that team controls your rights until the next years draft.

You can then opt for college but if you go to a 4 year university you are not draft eligible until after your Jr. year or when you turn 21.

If you go to a Jr. College, you are draft eligible as soon as the next draft starts. That is, if you don't sign with the original team that drafted you before the draft.

Now, in most cases.......if you are drafted out of HS, you will be sent to "rookie" ball.

Here is the breakdown of levels.................

-Rookie Ball (held in Florida and Arizona at each teams spring training sites) (This level in generally where most of your young latin players and a few drafted HS players are)

-Short Season A Ball (because the draft is in June, it's in the middle of the professional season already. So they have a short season to send draft kids. %95 of all players drafted start at this level or Rookie ball)

- Low A ( each club usually has 2 A ball clubs)

- High A ( again, this will be the higher level of A ball for each club)

- AA (This is where most of your prospects are)

- AAA (This is where most of you borderline big leaguers are that are up and down and insurance players.......rehab assignments, ect.)

So you see, essentially there are 4 levels of A ball. Just to get drafted is an unbelievable honor. I think only 5% of all players drafted make it to the big leagues. And then you must calculate the ones who actually stay for more than a cup of coffee................

The odds are against you to say the least.