MLB Draft, International Signees, the Braves and COVID-19

[Horsehide Harry]

Given the reaction around the Country (and the world) to the COVID-19 outbreak, it will be interesting to see how it affects the draft, and to a lesser extent, the International market. The travel restrictions, quarantine, and cancellation of practices and games will likely severely limit MLB scouts from seeing prospects going into the draft, even if the effects are limited to a month or so.

Combine that with the Braves: 1. limited to two picks in the first 100 and 2. limited international pool by 50% and 3. the possibility of a reduction in the number of allowed minor league teams, I think the Braves should go hard after picks in round 1 and 3, even at the expense of picks in rounds 4-10. I also think they should go hard after one high ceiling international guy, even if it takes the whole 50% bundle and then fill in with a lot of international guys who don't count against the limit.

My thinking is that lower round guys will be more of a crap shoot than ever. If they contract some minor league teams, there WILL be a number of minor league FA available to sign that won't be subject to draft signing provisions.

[thewupk]

At this point college guys are done and I suspect very few games after next week will be played for the high school guys. crap shoot indeed.

[bravesfanMatt]

NCAA giving players another year of eligibility. So seniors have more leverage now too

[Southcack77]

I think the message that players who are draft eligible will take is that getting paid sooner is probably better than getting paid later.

[Carp]

With seniors possibly returning for another year and taking up roster starting roster spots, this could give some HS players more incentive to go pro that might not have been considering it otherwise. And depending on what happens with the economy, they could also feel some family pressure to take the money now.

I say stick with the high school guys this draft.

[The Chosen One]

Can we try to draft Carter Stewart again!?!?

[50PoundHead]

With seniors possibly returning for another year and taking up roster starting roster spots, this could give some HS players more incentive to go pro that might not have been considering it otherwise. And depending on what happens with the economy, they could also feel some family pressure to take the money now.

I say stick with the high school guys this draft.

I'm wondering if a lot of high school guys in the gray area opt for the junior college route which would allow them to be drafted again in a year.

[Horsehide Harry]

I hate to say this, but in terms of brightside, this may actually HELP the Braves considering that they gave up picks to sign FA AND are in the final year of the International penalties box.

[50PoundHead]

I hate to say this, but in terms of brightside, this may actually HELP the Braves considering that they gave up picks to sign FA AND are in the final year of the International penalties box.

I think they will benefit more on the domestic end. My guess is the international market may be more competitive this year given the uncertainties surrounding the June draft stateside.

[Tapate50]

So this is the last year of all penalties ???

[Carp]

I think they will benefit more on the domestic end. My guess is the international market may be more competitive this year given the uncertainties surrounding the June draft stateside.

With travel bans and more countries practicing, it might make scouting some of these guys a bit more difficult. Especially if some these international leagues suspend play as well.

[50PoundHead]

With travel bans and more countries practicing, it might make scouting some of these guys a bit more difficult. Especially if some these international leagues suspend play as well.

True and a problem for late-blooming prospects. Curious to see if all these bans put a dent in bonuses and activity. It's always been my impression that because the age limit for signing is lower in the international market, especially the Latin American market, that a lot of these kids are scouting more aggressively earlier. At the same time, it's true that a year of development means more at age 15 than it does at age 20, so not having that extra year of eyes on the subject will make it a bigger crap shoot. That would be a plus for the Braves with their meager bonus budget as there conceivably will be more guys under the radar. Maybe the whole thing gets suspended for a year.