Kjerstad Signs Free Agent Deal With Royals

[CajunRed]

Adam hasn't faced D1 pitching yet. Big step up from JC2 to D1.

[Oiler]

I imagine that Dex figures he'll have a better chance of a full recovery by going through rehab with the Royals organization than he would have at UL.

[J-Town Cajun]

I wish Dex was back as much as anybody because for the first time in many years next year's team has a shot at super regional and a CWS berth. Now saying that, I can't blame Dex on his decision as he got good singing bonus money while being injured. His Sr year outcome is unknown and he can always return to school for his education. I do not always agree leaving early, and most UL players that leave early I disagree with but not in this case.

[Turbine]

If he makes it to the "Bigs" it was worth it.

If he doesn't make it, BUT does get his degree, he had a really nice baseball vacation, it was worth it.

If he doesn't make it, and he doesn't get his degree, he got paid $15,000 a year for 5 years.

[Parrott]

Adam Angelle will be in the mix, and I have heard Evan Powell will be coming in. Powell is a former high school all-American catcher who signed with LSU out of high school. He spent this past season with LSUE, has good power and above average defense, but strikes out too much for me.

Angelle, a Teurlings Catholic grad, started all 33 games at LSU Eunice in 2013. He hit .333 with a .490 on-base percentage, .453 slugging percentage, 38 runs scored, 8 doubles, 3 triples and 19 stolen bases.

Powell, rated No. 207 in the Perfect Game high school Class of 2011 rankings coming out of Sam Houston HS in Lake Charles, started 48 of 50 games played at LSU Eunice this past season. He hit .224 with 5 doubles, 3 home runs, 27 runs scored, 31 RBI and 17 stolen bases. At LSU as a freshman in 2012, he started 2 of 11 games played and hit .143 with 2 hits in 14 at-bats to go with 4 RBI and 3 runs scored.

Powell made the Class 4A all-state first team as a senior in 2011 (.514), junior in '10 (.454, 7 HRs) and sophomore in '09 (.540, 4 HRs). Was a Perfect Game Underclass All-American as a sophomore (honorable mention) and junior (third team) and Southeast All-Region First Team pick as a senior. Also won a gold medal with the 16-Under USA National Team at the 2009 World Youth Championships in Taiwan.

[Boomer]

Does anybody know his salary?? Is it based on the league that he play in each year---Always wondered---Can the situation be re--negotiated !!!

[cajun1300]

Does anybody know his salary?? Is it based on the league that he play in each year---Always wondered---Can the situation be re--negotiated !!!

He won't have a salary until he plays. So likely next April he'll
starting getting paid - $850 per month in A ball - in season only.

[Boomer]

Is this why some play a winter league in S America or elsewhere?? just wondering!! $850/month??? Is that the minimum wage even???

[Parrott]

He won't have a salary until he plays. So likely next April he'll
starting getting paid - $850 per month in A ball - in season only.

That sounds about right. Back when I lived/worked in Tennessee, almost all of the guys on the local AA team had to get jobs in the offseason and still barely made any bank. It was a different story for the bonus babies like Matt Tuiasosopo, who once picked up my bar tab.

[Dad04]

I hope all the best for Dex.

With that said...if the goal is short term, getting $75,000 was nice. The other stuff he'd have gotten anyway, so that's a wash. If the goal is long term, another year in college would have helped him further develop and...IMO...would have better positioned him to actually MAKE it at "the next level". He might have only gotten half the money up front (although he could have gotten much more with a great year)...but if the ultimate goal is the majors, he chances would have gone up.

Dex may actually be good enough to make it stick...even after leaving early. Most of the others over the years athat left early were not even close to ready.

If the goal is to play pro baseball long term when is the best time to start swinging wood bats? Leaving early has little to do with making it or not. If you don't make it in proball it is either because of a lack of talent or injuries.