The "best" high school players are drafted right out of high school.... And many of the "best" that aren't drafted will choose JUCO over D1 because it's a faster route to the MLB.... As others have pointed out, D1 players must wait until after their JR year to enter the draft.

And alot of those who do go the D1 route will not even get on the field for a year or two.... Another reason why D2, D3 and NAIA schools end up with some really good players. Some kids just don't wanna wait behind upper classmen to get playing time.

 

Yes, the best get drafted. And some do chose the JUCO route. But only about 10% of total players drafted are JUCO players, which by the numbers, is better odds than going D2, D3, or NAIA. In 2013, 124 JUCO players were drafted (out of 1126). Again, if you're really good, and want to get drafted, you're best shot is absolutely D1. So while some may choose JUCO, most of the best players that don't get drafted, and have MLB aspirations, will go D1. The vast majority of the players who get drafted out of college ARE D1, despite the fact that most of the college baseball players AREN'T D1.

Yes, the best get drafted. And some do chose the JUCO route. But only about 10% of total players drafted are JUCO players, which by the numbers, is better odds than going D2, D3, or NAIA. In 2013, 124 JUCO players were drafted (out of 1126). Again, if you're really good, and want to get drafted, you're best shot is absolutely D1. So while some may choose JUCO, most of the best players that don't get drafted, and have MLB aspirations, will go D1. The vast majority of the players who get drafted out of college ARE D1, despite the fact that most of the college baseball players AREN'T D1.

 

All true... But also, JUCO players that went that route for a faster shot at MLB can and will go on to play D1, D2, D3 or NAIA if they go undrafted from their JUCO school.

So again, that's what I love about baseball. It's not black and white, cut and dry. A lot of the D1 drafted players you speak of originally started out as JUCO players. They take a shot at being drafted sooner and then transfer if it doesn't work out.

Fact is, many JUCO programs are practically on speed dial for D1 coaches.... Some D1 coaches will recommend a kid play at a certain JUCO to get their grades in order and then join their D1 program after they've done so.

It's not like MLB hears about a great D3 prospect and dismisses it because the school is small or plays against some poor competition. If you're good, word will get around and you'll be scouted.

Fact is, your odds of making an MLB roster are not better being a D1 or not being one. The fact that D1 players are usually 20+ yrs old when drafted certainly helps the odds.

And a 1st round pick will get more opportunities in the minors than a 14th round pick. But if the 14th round guy takes advantage of his fewer chances and outperforms higher draft picks... He can make it! Harder to do for sure, but I know people who've done it.

Btw, to avoid any confusion... I don't disagree with rjs4470... Just expanding upon the idea as to why D1 player does not always equal better player. Again, baseball has much more of a grey area in college as compared to football or basketball.... Although you will find many JUCO talents reach great heights in those sports as well.

Btw, to avoid any confusion... I don't disagree with rjs4470... Just expanding upon the idea as to why D1 player does not always equal better player. Again, baseball has much more of a grey area in college as compared to football or basketball.... Although you will find many JUCO talents reach great heights in those sports as well.

 

I'm living proof that D1 doesn't always equal better and doesn't guarantee entry to the next level. I played D1 and never even got a sniff at getting drafted. In my 3 years of playing 2 guys got drafted and another 2 signed as free agents. 1 ended up with a decent career in the bigs. It's tough to make it regardless of where you play in college.

I'm living proof that D1 doesn't always equal better and doesn't guarantee entry to the next level. I played D1 and never even got a sniff at getting drafted. In my 3 years of playing 2 guys got drafted and another 2 signed as free agents. 1 ended up with a decent career in the bigs. It's tough to make it regardless of where you play in college.

 

So you're saying if you'd been drafted out of high school you still would've chosen college? I just can't help but think how I could advise a young kid not to take that opportunity? What if a freak accident happens during his freshman year and he never plays again? What happens if he has a great freshman and sophomore year, but bombs during his junior year and nobody picks him up? My point I'm trying to get across is that most athletes do not have a long shelf life. The majority of professional baseball players have an average of 4-5 years in the league. Why not take advantage of the talent as soon as you can and make as much money as you can until the ride is over? Then, if you look up and you're 23 or 24 and nobody is showing interest, you can always go back and finish college. At least you know that you played a good five or six years in the pros and made a lot more money than if you'd have stayed in college. A college degree does not have a specific timetable, however, athletic talent most certainly does. I know tons of kids that have regretted making the decision to go to college because they missed out on three full years of baseball salary.

So you're saying if you'd been drafted out of high school you still would've chosen college? I just can't help but think how I could advise a young kid not to take that opportunity? What if a freak accident happens during his freshman year and he never plays again? What happens if he has a great freshman and sophomore year, but bombs during his junior year and nobody picks him up? My point I'm trying to get across is that most athletes do not have a long shelf life. The majority of professional baseball players have an average of 4-5 years in the league. Why not take advantage of the talent as soon as you can and make as much money as you can until the ride is over? Then, if you look up and you're 23 or 24 and nobody is showing interest, you can always go back and finish college. At least you know that you played a good five or six years in the pros and made a lot more money than if you'd have stayed in college. A college degree does not have a specific timetable, however, athletic talent most certainly does. I know tons of kids that have regretted making the decision to go to college because they missed out on three full years of baseball salary.

 

Lots of guys choose college, even when they get drafted. A great example is Luke Maile. Drafted by the Red Sox, chose to go to UK. What choice you make will depend on where you get drafted out of high school. Unless you get drafted early, many will choose a high level college program over the minors. I agree with shelf life, short careers, etc. but unless you get drafted in the first 4 or 5 rounds, you're not talking about life changing money. A 5th round pick will get around $350k...after tax, he's looking at under $200k. Certainly not life changing. So sure, if you're a first rounder, the money is hard to turn down. But the money drops off pretty quick. And if you are a late round pick, you are playing for peanuts. Guys pick college in hopes that they can improve their draft position. The vast majority of kids that get drafted and are playing in the minors aren't even earning poverty level wages. It's a risk, but you only can sign a first contract once, and if you go low, it could be a long time before you ever see the good money, if ever, if you don't make it. Also, certain positions like pitchers and catchers sometimes develop later, or you'll have kids that still need to add some size or strength (18 year olds are still growing), those extra 3 years of college training and development will increase your chances of making it.

 

It's a tough call, and there's no right or wrong answer. It's not so easy a decision to make for anyone drafted after the first 4 or 5 rounds out of high school. I know and played with a few guys that were real late round picks out of high school, and chose to go pro.

Lots of guys choose college, even when they get drafted. A great example is Luke Maile. Drafted by the Red Sox, chose to go to UK. What choice you make will depend on where you get drafted out of high school. Unless you get drafted early, many will choose a high level college program over the minors. I agree with shelf life, short careers, etc. but unless you get drafted in the first 4 or 5 rounds, you're not talking about life changing money. A 5th round pick will get around $350k...after tax, he's looking at under $200k. Certainly not life changing. So sure, if you're a first rounder, the money is hard to turn down. But the money drops off pretty quick. And if you are a late round pick, you are playing for peanuts. Guys pick college in hopes that they can improve their draft position. The vast majority of kids that get drafted and are playing in the minors aren't even earning poverty level wages. It's a risk, but you only can sign a first contract once, and if you go low, it could be a long time before you ever see the good money, if ever, if you don't make it. Also, certain positions like pitchers and catchers sometimes develop later, or you'll have kids that still need to add some size or strength (18 year olds are still growing), those extra 3 years of college training and development will increase your chances of making it.

 

It's a tough call, and there's no right or wrong answer. It's not so easy a decision to make for anyone drafted after the first 4 or 5 rounds out of high school. I know and played with a few guys that were real late round picks out of high school, and chose to go pro.

 

There are several ways to look at it. Some minor leaguers do earn somewhere between $4,000 - $7,500 for a five month season, which causes them to have to work in the off season. I know there were several players that sued MLB this year because of it. Not sure the outcome though? On that side of it I get it. I know my college teammate and roommate WS drafted out of high school in the 17th round by the Red Sox. He played three years of college ball, put up average numbers, and was taken in the 23rd round by the Red Sox. He couldn't believe how much he dropped. Their projection of him at 18 years old was a lot better than him at 21. They saw that he didn't get a lot better like they projected and he dropped. He's working at Lowes now.

This has been my point all along... It's such a case by case basis. I know 4 people that have made it into pro baseball. 1 played D2 and went undrafted. He ended up at the MLB major league level for 9 seasons. Another guy played D1 and was drafted in the 14th round after his JR year. He made it to MLB for 3 seasons, but only played in about 30 games at the major league level.

The other 2 guys played 4 years of D1 baseball, one drafted in 3rd round and the other in the 6th round. They've both been in the minors for 4 seasons... Still have not even made it to AA minor league level yet.

So, similar to how you all have pointed out that it's a tough decision whether to go into pro ball out of high school or go to college.... I think it can be a tough decision whether to choose a D1 offer over another level. If you won't play as much at D1, the NAIA kid that plays every day might pass you up.

I think that could partially explain why the Red Sox kid draft status dropped. He simply just might not have gotten a lot of playing time when he went D1. That could definitely hurt your chances of development. Again, it's a case by case basis though. And that's why it's confusing.

This has been my point all along... It's such a case by case basis. I know 4 people that have made it into pro baseball. 1 played D2 and went undrafted. He ended up at the MLB major league level for 9 seasons. Another guy played D1 and was drafted in the 14th round after his JR year. He made it to MLB for 3 seasons, but only played in about 30 games at the major league level.

The other 2 guys played 4 years of D1 baseball, one drafted in 3rd round and the other in the 6th round. They've both been in the minors for 4 seasons... Still have not even made it to AA minor league level yet.

So, similar to how you all have pointed out that it's a tough decision whether to go into pro ball out of high school or go to college.... I think it can be a tough decision whether to choose a D1 offer over another level. If you won't play as much at D1, the NAIA kid that plays every day might pass you up.

I think that could partially explain why the Red Sox kid draft status dropped. He simply just might not have gotten a lot of playing time when he went D1. That could definitely hurt your chances of development. Again, it's a case by case basis though. And that's why it's confusing.

 

I'm guessing you don't know who Luke Maile is. He was drafted by the Sox out of high school, chose to go to UK. Got drafted very high by the Rays after 3 years of college and now is in AAA. He made the right choice in going to school. Again, though, every case is different.

I'm guessing you don't know who Luke Maile is. He was drafted by the Sox out of high school, chose to go to UK. Got drafted very high by the Rays after 3 years of college and now is in AAA. He made the right choice in going to school. Again, though, every case is different.

Yeah, I believe he played at Covcath... Good player.

Going back to all of the kids we've discussed on this thread though... I think there's no doubt that every one of them (if they choose to) will play college baseball at some level. As far as pro ball... It wouldn't shock me if a few of them get there.... And on the other hand, it wouldn't totally shock me if none of them got there. It's like playing the lottery in a sense... Bad decisions, bad luck, injuries, etc. can all derail a kids path to MLB.

But college ball... With all the options, I think every kid in this thread can get there.

Frankly, I'm proud of all the talent in our region right now... Lots of good, young talent. And for the most part, I know most of these kids to be good students and citizens as well.

Anyone know where some of these 2016's will play select ball next year? Easy to lose track of these guys.... For example: I've heard Evan Slone is joining the 18u Bluegrass Chiefs and I've heard Ricky Raisor is joining Midland.... Is that accurate? Any other players changing clubs?

Anyone know where some of these 2016's will play select ball next year? Easy to lose track of these guys.... For example: I've heard Evan Slone is joining the 18u Bluegrass Chiefs and I've heard Ricky Raisor is joining Midland.... Is that accurate? Any other players changing clubs?

 

Ricky did join the Braves.

Ricky did join the Braves.

Cool... Thanks raiderbird

Any other 2016's changing their summer teams?