Congratulations to Adam Atkins. He was selected in the 18th round, #550 overall, by the New York Mets.
Congratulations to Adam Atkins. He was selected in the 18th round, #550 overall, by the New York Mets.
Braden Bristo was selected in the 23rd round, #698 overall, by the New York Yankees.
Phillip Diehl was selected in the 27th round, #818, by the New York Yankees
Are these draft rounds low enough to tease our players into jumping to the pros just yet?
It really depends on many many factors. And, I'm afraid it's bad news.
They probably aren't getting any bonus money worth mentioning for rounds 23 and 27, except that they do have a small amount of leverage since they still have the option to go back to Tech for their senior year.
Since they are both JR's, they can use their senior year to try to improve their draft position. They would have to improve to at least the 10th round to really have any effect on their bonus money. Plus, being SR's next year, they would have NO leverage when it came time to negotiate bonus money. Sign for peanuts (nothing) or go play Indy ball.
If they don't think they can improve their draft position to the 10th round next year, then they probably should just go ahead and start their pro careers.
The Yankees' 23 and 27 picks last year were a SR pitcher and a HS player. The SR signed and the high school kid didn't. For the Yankees, from round 20 to 33, only two did not sign.
Diehl certainly sounds like someone who is looking ahead to his professional career.
I also know that Bristo was hoping to get drafted so he could start his pro career. He graduated this spring.
the bold, the beautiful, theprofessor
Go pro or stay in school is a decision faced by many draftees. For early round draftees, the large signing bonus makes the decision much easier.
Diehl and Bristo were selected in the lower rounds of the draft so the signing bonus offered will be very low. Their only leverage to get a larger bonus is that they don't have to sign this year. They could return to play college ball one more year. If they return to school the leverage for a higher signing bonus will be gone. However, they could perform so well in their senior season that they could elevate their draft status. Of course, they could get injured or develop arm problems and not get drafted at all.
Most lower round draftees are just roster players needed to give prospects (higher round draft choices) some teammates in rookie ball, low A, and high A. Although very few lower round draft choices make it to a major league roster, you can't make it and have NO chance unless you sign a contract. Every player dreams of making it. Most lower round draftees are out of a job in the minor leagues within 3 years.
I expect both players will sign now. Under NCAA rules, they cannot sign with an agent to negotiate for them or they lose eligibility. However, many draftees use "counselors" to assist them in negotiating their initial contract just in case they choose to return to college.
Bristol says for the right money, he's gone for sure:
http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/spo...kees/85766904/
Both would be pushing 23 y/o this time next year. Probably sounds good to most of us, but it's getting on in years for rookie baseball players.
Sutton will be for sure be a weekend starter, Linck could be a starter. Harris may even step into that role. Diehl is a big loss...This coaching staff has shown that they can identify talent and get it to Ruston.
“Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”
Lou Holtz - Football Coach
"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have." - Thomas Jefferson
"Bring back the rotary phone so we don't have to press 1 for English."
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Was it just a cooincidence that the NY Yankees signed 2 of our players? Have they been scouting a lot of our games?
There was a Yankees scout in Starkville the entire weekend. I stood next to him in several of the rain delays...there were other scouts too, White Sox, Rangers are 2 that I remember for sure. I read an article somewhere recently where they told Diehl he was on the "do not draft board", until the Yankees coach saw him pitch.
“Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”
Lou Holtz - Football Coach
"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have." - Thomas Jefferson
"Bring back the rotary phone so we don't have to press 1 for English."
www.casadice.com