MN_ExPat

Maybe I'm not following what you're saying (which is a definite possibility), but I don't think it's saying that teams have to offer a draft pick a contract. Just that if they do, it can't be less than 75% of their slot value. So a team could still draft a player and then not offer him a contract (which of course seems monumentally silly to waste a pick like that, but it's not as if it hasn't happened before). Of course... I may be so wrong in my interpretation that I should be embarrassed ?‍♂️

Just posted to MLBTR (https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/)

One major caveat to that though, is it's all second hand information. As we all know there are three sides to every story... Person A, Person B, and the truth. If my son's team continues to play the way they have been (they're 10-1 and ranked #4 in the State), there is a potential chance we could see Buford in the playoffs. A more detailed analysis would follow at that point .

Folks who know or know of Lesko (down here in GA)... haven't painted a positive aspect of him (at least personality wise). Not saying the kid doesn't have huge talent and upside (he does), but he doesn't appear to be well liked or respected as a person. On a side note... his HS is almost universally hated by the entire state of Georgia (they're a charter school who are routinely accused of breaking or bending/sidestepping rules regarding placement or recruitment of athletes).

I had MLB on last night, and Harrold Reynolds was blathering on about the International Draft and I was thinking the same thing. He was decrying how it was a travesty for all these "poor international players" to be the subject of an "unfair" draft. The only thought that came to mind was exactly that, "So... it's ok or even good for American and Puerto Rican players to be subject to its whims, but foreign players and their handlers can do whatever they want??".

Thanks for the write up Jamie. On Georgia High School news. My son's team won their 8th straight game Wednesday (8 - 0 / +60 run differential) and are currently ranked #3 overall in the State of Georgia as they go for 9 in a row tonight before starting Regional (Divisional) play next week. Team finished #7 overall last season after making it to the Elite 8 in the State Playoffs. Ok, yes... I freely accept that I'm exceptionally biased

Well, the current status of the CBA dispute is disconcerting, but at least I have my son's HS season to distract me . He just pitched a two hit shutout tonight (7K) and they have outscored their opponents in their first four games 38-3 (4-0). Woohoo... take that MLB! P.S., yes I know no one really cares, but I'm still pretty psyched

I'd have to agree with you, but once again I have to take what Law says with a grain of salt. "Head Violence"? Without going directly with him and asking "WTH is that supposed to mean Keith? You've completely lost me on this one", that turn of phrase once again makes me shake my head a little. Yes, Law knows a lot about baseball... I will never rebuke him about that, but at the same time he really seems to play the percentages (and possibly rightly so at times). At the same time though, baseball is a game of... failure. A hitter will "fail" 70% to 75% of the time and still can be considered successful. Predicting that is often a matter of correlation and doesn't make you (I.E. Law) Nostradamus. That being said, I do agree and have seen (at least amongst HS and college kids) POs with max/super high effort deliveries often have trouble repeating the exact same delivery on every throw (thus the inconsistent results). Will this be Petty's fate? It's too early to tell, but at the same time I don't feel that it is an area of concern for now or the immediate future. That is something that can only be developed and honed over time.

I am not responsible for my public school education Good Sir.

That just illustrates that most "rankings" don't mean anything other than click bait conversation amongst us fanboys/girls. Does it really matter where a player is ranked?

#1: I very much agree #2: Uhh... are you sure about that? I do not think that means what you think it means?

Fair point ??.

Very true Sir, and not necessarily an argument on my part. You do make a valid point.

Going to have to disagree on this one (not because you said it, but more because of a fundamental philosophical disagreement). Age is (almost) irrelevant. Breaking into Pro-ball and especially at the higher levels, Guys take different path into and through professional ball. We shouldn't discount guys who went to college or who had real life get in the way. The only difference (provided production is similar) between a kid who makes a roster at 21/22 and one who does it at 24/25 is usually the younger one has "figured things out" at an earlier age. Older age does not make a player any less of a "prospect".

For those starved for baseball… we are in full swing now in Georgia. Here are some photos ?. My son’s team had their season opener last night and won 8-0 (and Mini-me pitched 2 scoreless innings ??? 2 IP/ 2K / 1 H / 0 BB).

Amen Is it likely to.... probably not, but I too will preach hope.

A wee bit of an oversimplification on the numbers perhaps (if I had to nitpick a point ), but I think you make a solid point overall. Thank God that MLB can't touch or affect HS or college games/seasons (yet), because at least we have those guys to watch and root on.

No lions den at all I think, it's a fair and honest assessment.

Fair point. Can't say I disagree with this thought either.

He'll be fine... the talent is there.

Amen

I'd have to concur on that. My small animal hindbrain is telling me that this has been the owners end game all along. It comes across as if they (the owners) don't care if the top paid players cave or not, and almost as if they hope they don't. At that point, the league could hypothetically toss the union aside and start all over with non-union / 40 Man players and restructure the league as they see fit. Would it be a PR headache/nightmare? Probably, but It seems like the league is looking at this whole process as a long game scenario and a chance to rest power away from the MLBPA (they're would potentially be a large number of young players who "just want to play" who would be willing to cross the lines/MLBPA be damned ?‍♂️). Looking back at the last few years with the focus lens of the current situation, the league's "concessions" and gestures appear as even more symbolic and token than anything of substance. I hope this isn't the morally questionable long game plan of the owners, but power and money have driven men to do more for less. If MLB wants to destroy and remake itself into whatever form it wants... so be it. I will return to it when/if it regains it's senses because I love the game. With that being said... we don't have to abandon/walk away from baseball. Far from it. I would ask everyone here to go and support your local colleges and HS teams. These kids are truly still living the "dream" and love the support of their communities. Show them the love, they deserve it .

Maybe, maybe not. I would counter with that he doesn't need to be Brooks Robinson and get to literally EVERYTHING within a mile of 3B (or wherever he's positioned), he just needs to get to the ones he can and make the plays (routine) that's he's supposed to.

Sorry, should have specified before Professional ball... my bad