photo courtesy-Denny Medley/USA TODAY Sports
Yes, and it’s about time the league focuses on growing college baseball. They have a Draft Overhaul Proposal that is being submitted to the MLBPA. The league’s mission with the proposal is to forgo early development in the minors and shift the focus to college baseball. It will continue to grow an already popular sport.
This Draft Overhaul could solve many of baseball’s current issues. It could help address the rise in high schoolers being rushed through the minors. Not only that, but the Draft Overhaul could also help reduce pitcher injuries. Staying in college would help them develop their velocity the right way.
Why should the MLB propose its Draft Overhaul to the MLBPA?
Why shouldn’t the MLB propose the Draft Overhaul? When has any of the four major sports leagues’ PAs ever been right when saying that the league is wrong? When the NBA proposed banning high school players from entering the draft, the NBPA said the league would bleed money by erasing a new generation of players.
The NBA then argued that many of the high school players coming out weren’t even close to being LeBron James. And, like the MLB, it wanted to grow college basketball into the mecca it is today.
In 2005, the NBA introduced the “one and done rule.” It required young players to play at least their freshman year of college before declaring for the NBA Draft. And since then, it has worked out well, as not only domestic players have benefited from the Draft Overhaul, but international players have benefited from playing in overseas pro leagues at 18 or 19 years old as well.
Reduction of Pitcher Injuries
With the current system of high schoolers entering the MLB Draft, you can have these few prospects who can make the transition to the big leagues. But it seems the minors would rather rush these players to get to the MLB faster rather than keep them in to develop them until they’re actually ready.
This is especially true with the rise of these young, flamethrowing arms. They are changing the game one day at a time. In high school, these pitchers actually start all nine innings, but they might not always be taught how to build up their arms to pro velocities.
Additionally, certain high school baseball programs may have players who aren’t physically mature or mentally ready to skip college and go straight to the minors. In the case of pitchers, some of the top pitchers only have their arms built to throw mid-upper 80s fastballs.
That velocity would not be acceptable at the minor league level. So going to college first and hiring pitching coaches would help that prospect gradually build their arm, so their fastballs reach the mid-upper 90s by the time they’re ready to transition to the minors.
While there’s no guarantee that MLB starters will go longer into games as in the past, most of these starters could at least avoid Tommy John surgery. This would be prevented by pitchers slowly building their arms in the minors rather than being rushed to the big leagues.
The rise of selecting International Players over Domestic High School/College players
Most MLB teams nowadays tend to scout and sign international players aged 16 to 18. Generally, these players come from countries outside North America, where baseball is also popular. While these players are the equivalent age to North American high schoolers, they are playing against grown men in their countries’ pro leagues.
This gives these players a greater advantage, as they tend to be more seasoned when they enter the MLB. They can already handle the physical stamina of playing in the minors. Additionally, it saves up roster spots for more older players who are ready to play now.
On the other hand, selecting domestic 18-year-old kids out of high school comes with high risk. But it can also be high-reward.
In the 21st century, the MLB has seen its share of high school players who’ve made it to the big leagues. Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, and Bobby Whit Jr. are a few players who come to mind.
Nevertheless, there have also been high schoolers who went right to the pros. Unfortunately, they never made it to the big leagues, a la Cito Culver.
After years of underdeveloping these draft prospects, and the rise of soft-tissue injuries, Commissioner Rob Manfred finally put his foot down. He indicated the need to stop rushing our prospects to the pros, focus on developing them, and have them wait their turn.
Therefore, the Draft Overhaul of banning high school domestic players would be the first step towards saving the tradition of baseball. While ushering in a new era focusing on patience and proper development, just like the rest of the four Major North American Pro Sports Leagues do.
