The MLB draft is a different animal than the NBA or NFL drafts. For one, it's a heck of a lot longer. Today's drafted lasted 50 rounds (it used to be longer) while the NBA has shortened its draft to two rounds and the NFL stops short after seven rounds.
The reason for this disparity is fairly simple. For one, no other professional sport comes close to having such an extensive minor league system. Every major league team has at least six minor league teams with rosters of 24-30 players. Many teams also have rookie teams and international teams (like those in the Dominican Summer League) with a roster limit of 35. So that's a lot of spots to fill up.
Another reason the MLB draft is so massive is that there's such a large amount of attrition in professional baseball. Very few of the 1,530 players who get drafted ever make it to the majors, and those that don't often retire at an early age. So now there's even more open spots.
Finally, less than half of the players who get drafted actually sign a contract. Most of them, especially those in the later rounds, end up returning to school and re-entering the draft in another year. So even when it seems like there can't possibly be room for any more players in professional baseball, the high turnover rate makes all 50 rounds necessary.
Another difference between the MLB draft and other drafts is the scouting process. Since trades aren't allowed (at least under the current CBA) teams typically have a very good idea of what players they will end up.
In the later rounds this translates to at least a pick every minute because all the groundwork has been done already. The only point of the draft is to submit the names and make it official.
This helps explain another unusual phenomenon?pre-draft deals. I already mentioned how very few of the late round selections ever sign. But the ones that do sign almost immediately thanks to an understanding between the player and the team. As a result, there aren't very many surprises late in the draft.
This could all change soon.
The current CBA is set to expire after the season and one of the biggest topics of conversation will be the draft. It's almost a guarantee that international players will join in on the fun to prevent extravagant signing bonuses for foreign players (like the $4.25 million the Oakland A's gave to Michael Inoa from the Dominican Republic).
The slotting system is also expected to be restructured, or abolished altogether, so that big-market teams can't stock up on the best players by simply overpaying them.
It's also very possible that trading will be allowed in the draft, although if they keep it to 50 rounds it may take a week to get through. Whatever changes the league and the players' association agree to, it's going to be a very interesting next few years.
Utah Jazz Washington Wizards Kevin Garnett Ray allen kendrick Perkins Rajon Rondo
Keine Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen