Common Amateur Baseball Draft Questions Common Amateur Baseball Draft Questions
Common Amateur Baseball Draft Questions
Common Amateur Baseball Draft Questions
Common Amateur Baseball Draft Questions
Q:How do scouts find out about players? And
how much input do you take from high school or college
coaches?
A:Each team has area scouts who are responsible
for certain portions of the country. During the fall,
the scout sends correspondents to each high school and
college coach to provide them feedback on players they
feel may have potential to be a pro ball player.
Q:Does it matter if a player receives a lot
of newspaper coverage in his hometown?
A:
Scouts rely on their own judgement to determine
whether a player has the tools to become a Major League
player. But any info provided via the media or
conversation is welcome.
Q: How do they hold the Draft?
A:
The draft is held via conference call with all 30 clubs,
which is emanated out of the Commissioner's Office here
in New York. The draft will end after 40 rounds, which
should take about two days.
The first day, June 7, begins at 1 p.m. and will conclude at
6 p.m. ET. Following the completion of that day's
selections, the round-by-round results will be found
here on our site.
The second day, we will begin at noon ET, and it is
scheduled to end at 6 p.m. ET.
Someone with the Commissioner's Office announces which
team's turn it is to pick. The team has two minutes to
select a player. The team continues to remain in the
draft, until they pass, until they have finished making
their picks, or until the draft is over.
Q: Who is eligibile for the June Free Agent Draft?
A: Graduating high school seniors, all junior college players, players that
have completed their third year of college, and players that have turned 21
years of age within 45 days of the draft. College players that have dropped
out of school can apply for the draft by writing the Baseball Commissioner's
Office no later than March 20.
Q: How long does the draft last?
A: The draft is limited to 40 rounds plus "Compensation Picks" after
the first round for off-season signing of Major League free agents. Usually
the draft will last about 20 rounds are completed on the first day, and another
30 rounds on the second day.
There are sandwich picks between the first and second
rounds based on players who have signed a contract with
a new club as a Major League free agent.
In addition to teams who are compensated for losing that
free-agent player with this sandwich pick, a pick is
also provided for that club which failed to sign their
first-round pick from the prior year.
Q: How important is a pre-draft work out to where I go in the draft?
A: This is often the last chance you have to impress the teams scouts and
the workout will be in front of the Scouting Director and the team's General
Manager. So an impressive showing can help your draft status.
Q: How will I know if I am drafted?
A: The scout responsible for your selection will contact you by a phone call
immediately after you been selected.
Q: What rights does the selecting team have?
A: The team that selected you has the sole negotiating rights to you and
must submit a written minor league contract to you within 15 days of your
selection. Failure to do so, terminates their negotiating rights and the player
will be a free agent and on the open market for contract negotiations. The uniform signing date of
July 15 for all players (other than college seniors).
Q:Which is better to sign out of high school or after college?
A:Well that depends. How high did you go in the draft and how much of a
signing bonus has the team has offered you.How good of student are you?
If you are not academically inclined that it might be a good ideal to sign.
But remember it is a business from the day you leave home and get the team
that signs you to pay for your college education in the off-season.
Get it all in writing.
Q:I have been drafted after my junior year in college what should I do
if I don't like the team's signing bonus offer?
A: First make certain you are playing that summer in a summer collegiate league? If
you do come to
terms and sign a minor league contract your playing ability will suffer
the first couple weeks because you have not been playing in a while. Also
the drafted team frequently increases is signing bonus offer if you are playing
extremely well in a summer collegiate league. Eric Milton went to the Cape League
and threw two one hitters and one no hitter and convinced the New York
Yankees he was well worth what he was asking for. J.D. Drew convinced St Louis
he was well worth the Major League Contract he was asking for by tearing
up the Independent Northern League in 1997 and 1998.
Q:When should I return to college after being drafted after my junior year?
A:Only if the drafted team is not willing to pay for your senior year
in college. College senior tend to get half the signing bonus what a
college junior would get drafted in the same round. Teams know you are
a year older and can't really bargain and give you a take it a leave it
offer.
When can fifth-year senior sign contracts?
As soon as you finish your last class in college, you are eligible to
sign a
minor league contract.
Can I price myself out of the draft?
Teams not only draft on talent but signability.Many teams will not
draft a player they classify as unsignable by asking way more than market
value.
Does attending a top 25 school increase my chances of being scouted?
Yes, You have a better chance of being scouted at a Top 25 Division 1
because the scouts will be there to see other previously drafted players on your
team. Keep in mind scouts will go to any place if they feel there are players that
are potential Major League Ballplayers whether it at a large Divison 1 or a tiny
Division 3 college. It is just much easier to evaluate players playing against
strong competition. Attending a national ranked college doesn't make you a prospect,
showing Major League tools does.
Q: When should I hire an agent?
A: You should hire an agent if you are drafted high in the draft and
expect a bonus at least $100,000, so likely in the first 4 rounds.
Q: How much do agents charge?
A: The standard rate for agents or advisors is 4% of your signing bonus.
Some may charge less or no fee until you reach the Major Leagues.
