6/2/11

Q and A - Slotting

Charlie T. asked:



Hey Mack. Please explain to me, exactly what slotting is a far as the draft is concerned? Over slotting, slotting, etc. I've heard in the past that drafting and paying over slot is frowned upon. What is all that? Secondly, please explain how a player becomes draft eligible. After finishing high school, they are, but if they're drafted and don’t sign, do they have to wait 3 or 4 more years?. I know this might take some space, but for a lot of readers who are interested and just don’t know, maybe you can post it on your Mack’s Mets main page for all to see and learn from.


Mack:


Slotting is when a league assigns fixed bonus levels to each pick. In 2009, MLB put together a suggested figure for the first five rounds and said that anyone below the fifth round shouldn’t be offered more than $150,000. It was only a suggested slot number and wasn’t mandatory.


Slotting is frowned upon by big market clubs, players, and agents. Actually, teams like the Yankees could care less what the league wants to do here. Thus, paying over slot is frowned upon by the league, not the fans.


Teams like Boston have completely disregarded the “suggested” slot numbers and are expected to again this draft; however, there is a good chance that the league will implement a “hard” slot past the 2011 draft. This will not only change the cost of doing business on draft day, but it is speculated that parents will turn some of their kids away from the sport because the “big bonus money” will be a thing of the past. (I don’t believe this… kids play baseball).


Take away the ability to over-slot and you basically will also eliminate most of the un-signings, especially in the early rounds, meaning Damion Magnifico would be a Mets flop instead of a college flop.


The 2011 draft has the most talent in years and could be the last year a team is on their own.


Players can be drafted if:


Are a resident of the United States, Canada, or a U.S. territory such as Puerto Rico. Players from other countries are not subject to the draft, and can be signed by any team (unless they are current members of college teams in the aforementioned countries).


Have never signed a major or minor league contract.


High school players are eligible only after graduation, and if they have not attended college.


Players at four-year colleges are eligible after completing their junior years, or after their 21st birthdays. This is why some college sophomores become eligible.


Junior and community college players are eligible to be drafted at any time.

No comments: