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| How do you turn the MLB draft from a crap shoot, to a science? |
There has been plenty of discussion about revamping Major league baseball. Among the topics of reform have been expanding the playoffs, moving a National League team to the American League, and fixing the draft.
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Of all things that have been mentioned, the draft does need some help, if not a total overhaul. There are plenty of things wrong with the old system. Teams are not adhering to the slotting system put in place by current Mets general manager Sandy Alderson, which has led to astonishingly high signing bonuses. Amazingly enough, the draft was put in place back in 1965 to curtail these types of signing bonuses. Unfortunately, teams feel the need to grab talent at any price, and it has led to some issues. Back in 1964, the record signing bonus at the time belonged to Angels outfielder Rich Reichardt who signed for a then-unheard of $205,000. Today, that money would go to a 6th rounder. In 2009, pitcher Stephen Strasburg agreed to what is now the largest signing bonus in baseball history, a whopping $7.5 million, thanks in part to Scott Boras, who held negotiations until the final hour.
However, some teams cannot afford this money, and have drafted players based on signability. Take the San Diego Padres in 2004. With the first pick, they had the chance to grab Golden Spikes award winner Jered Weaver, brother of then-active Jeff Weaver, or Stephen Drew, brother of JD Drew. They ended up taking prep shortstop Matt Bush out of a San Diego high school not for his talent, but for his signability. Several injuries, a position change, and a few suspensions later, this happened:
That sends a clear enough message that signability isn't always the way to go.
Major League Baseball is also looking at ways to curtail the high asking prices of international talent as well, including the possibility of adding an international player draft, in addition to the regular draft. This problem developed a head when the Cincinnati Reds signed Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman for a large contract.
To put it quite simply, if there is anything Major league baseball needs to improve the most, it's the draft. With the signing bonus problem, most teams have elected to draft players based on their signability, this was seen during the 2011 draft when Science Hill High school pitcher Daniel Norris fell to the second round amid rumors that he was demanding an exorbitant contract. Norris was projected to fall to the top 15 picks.
How should Major league baseball fix the draft? There are plenty of things that could be fixed, including penalties for going over slot value in signing bonuses, such as forfeiture of draft picks. Major league baseball could also implement a salary cap in order to curb the unusually high asking prices of amateur talent controlled by people like Scott Boras. Granted, high school talent could face a dropoff for those who wish to receive good money. Less high schoolers could sign and end up attending college instead. Moving, on, the idea of an international draft is quite intriguing, however, there is the question of when it would take place. A possibility could be during the All Star Break. Yet another possibility is allowing trades, like in other sports drafts. Granted, the question would be how the trading system would work.
These are just a few suggestions, however, there is plenty of work to be done if Major league baseball wants to change.
That sends a clear enough message that signability isn't always the way to go.
Major League Baseball is also looking at ways to curtail the high asking prices of international talent as well, including the possibility of adding an international player draft, in addition to the regular draft. This problem developed a head when the Cincinnati Reds signed Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman for a large contract.
To put it quite simply, if there is anything Major league baseball needs to improve the most, it's the draft. With the signing bonus problem, most teams have elected to draft players based on their signability, this was seen during the 2011 draft when Science Hill High school pitcher Daniel Norris fell to the second round amid rumors that he was demanding an exorbitant contract. Norris was projected to fall to the top 15 picks.
How should Major league baseball fix the draft? There are plenty of things that could be fixed, including penalties for going over slot value in signing bonuses, such as forfeiture of draft picks. Major league baseball could also implement a salary cap in order to curb the unusually high asking prices of amateur talent controlled by people like Scott Boras. Granted, high school talent could face a dropoff for those who wish to receive good money. Less high schoolers could sign and end up attending college instead. Moving, on, the idea of an international draft is quite intriguing, however, there is the question of when it would take place. A possibility could be during the All Star Break. Yet another possibility is allowing trades, like in other sports drafts. Granted, the question would be how the trading system would work.
These are just a few suggestions, however, there is plenty of work to be done if Major league baseball wants to change.
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