💬 The daftness of the MLB was on full display last night.

[TerryP]

I caught a clip on Sportscenter this morning featuring an Arkansas player getting drafted 22nd in last nights MLB draft. Understand, this was announced--and he learned about his selection--while playing Dallas Baptist last night in the regionals.

Peter Burns summed up how asinine their draft day is last night.

 

[TUSKtimes]

Don't a lot of these players just stay put and play more college ball? Seems to me they don't get as much publicity because it's not an either-or kind of thing. For most in the draft, it's on to the minor leagues, or back to college, but not the majors. You usually have 4 or 5 years invested before the big boys take a hard look.

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Don't a lot of these players just stay put and play more college ball? Seems to me they don't get as much publicity because it's not an either-or kind of thing. For most in the draft, it's on to the minor leagues, or back to college, but not the majors. You usually have 4 or 5 years invested before the big boys take a hard look.

As opposed to college ball....at least you are getting a paycheck....and drafted high....a big paycheck....and none of the silly...going to class and studying crap....

 

[TerryP]

Don't a lot of these players just stay put and play more college ball? Seems to me they don't get as much publicity because it's not an either-or kind of thing. For most in the draft, it's on to the minor leagues, or back to college, but not the majors. You usually have 4 or 5 years invested before the big boys take a hard look.

If they are drafted out of high school they have a choice--to the league or to college If they choose college they have to stay until they complete their junior year or reach the age of 21. They do have a choice after their junior year, sure.

It wasn't just the UArk game last night, The same thing happened with Ole Miss. It was late in the game with Ole Miss trailing and they announced one of the Rebels was a first rounder.

Simply put, not only does it put teams at a disadvantage (distractions during games) but it isn't fair to the kids. They are deprived up the opportunity to share in the news, the celebration, with their family and friends.

I'd encourage you to look up Finebaum's podcast for today and listen to Coach Corbin (Vandy) discuss the same thing.

The MLB needs to be called on the carpet for this. What's a couple of weeks later going to matter? Or, on a different night?

 

[JoshB]

What's the reasoning for not waiting until the end of June?

 

[alabama mike]

How about conducting the draft when teams and players are not playing to go to the super regional or world series. I am sure there are other nights where teams do not play. The draft night that the NBA and NFL has is huge on ESPN. Something needs to be done to spice up the MLB draft.

 

[Che Boludo]

What's the reasoning for not waiting until the end of June?

I think it has a few factors.

The MLB draft is a bit unique given its size and timing. There are 40 rounds plus compensatory picks. And, with a few exceptions for special circumstances, drafted players aren't signing major league contracts as they are required to sign minor league contracts. Which is also a bit different as MLB drafts target filling a whole club organization from single A to MLB.

Also, with mid-summer as the key time for clubs to make final moves before the 31 July trade deadline, an early June draft and mid-July signing period allows for clubs to best make moves internally and leverage trade positions for either a post-season run or rebuild. And, it gets their new acquisitions on the field in their ball clubs before the season is over. Summer moves before the trade deadline are part of baseball culture as one of the most actively managed and fluid team rosters in sports.

It may be inconvenient for some college players, HS players, or even the amateur ball club players in the pool of prospects, but, honestly, MLB has no concern over that. Plus, I'd think college coaches would prefer this to the old mid-Aug signing periods when trying to anticipate what their needs are going into the Fall academic semesters.

Bottom line, imo, the current draft timing is the best fit for their business model. I don't see that changing. College baseball could always shorten the season or move the start date back.