Draft stuff

There is nothing more shocking then going to a practice or scimage in HS before season and finding about 20+ scouts in the stands waiting to watch your player pitch.

Funny though, I found out a few days later they came out to see the kid that got almost a full scholarship to CU (that signals good player) and recruited by Kevin O'Sullivan, not because of some glowing report from Baseball America or Perfect Game. Curiosity for them and the beginning of a new experience for us. I do admit it was fun coming to games he would pitch and seeing the familiar faces from the game before, it was a heady time and the other players and their parents enjoyed it too. This meant a lot of hamburgers to be sold and the concession stand proceeds that season were booming. Love those guys, they come hungry and they don't stop eating.

We even got set up by Sully by one scout, bless his heart, he was going to do anything he could to get Dave to Clemson. One night a young scout came over, and kept asking Dave what he would sign for, what he wanted, over and over. It was annoying and Dave threw out a number for him to just shut up. The next day Dave gets a call from Sully, YOU told that scout you would sign for XX? Come to Clemson, I'll get you more if that's what you want. Now some people might say the nerve of him, but in reality, going to work with him was the best choice, and most agreed. That's my draft story.

BTW, a few years later the same scenerio began, we'd go to CU home games and the stands were full of scouts, but by that time it wasn't really important, I figured what would be would be. And for what it's worth, son did get more than what he told the scout (that one) he would sign for.

So if this is going on right now and you are sitting and wondering where he might fall or what he is worth, the following is my opinion on that.

Let's take Porcello, as a pitcher he was one of the best in his year, he fell in the draft due to signability (strong college commitment which meant big scholly money), but he got what he wanted, and probably what he was worth. Why? He was a pitcher with 94-95 velocity, great mechanics and threw 3-4 very good graded pitches for strikes, he was very close to the ML level. That's what gets you a high draft pick and major money. I know that we all see our sons as very very good, but in reality and I have had to do reality checks, most of our sons coming out of HS, have a long road to travel. I am not sure what makes a HS hitter a top pick, but I am sure that it is the same, they have more skill and more tools and grade out high (on the ML grading scale).

So step back and take a look at your player, if you feel that he should be drafted high, and you haven't had agents or scouts, or GM's knocking on your door, most likely he's not going to be. In other words, is your pitcher as good as Rick Porcello?

My advice is that this is a good time to stop worrying about what he might decide (go pro or not) and just enjoy the ride. You will look back on this and understand, it's something we all learn, you just can't predict what is going to happen. I thought that my son was a very very good pitcher out of HS, but he needed LOTS of work. I understand now why he was a 7-10 projected pick.

The nerve of those guys, Dad thought that he was much better than that!!!!!! :)