2022 MLB draft

[LifeTimeCajun]

The draft has changed quite a bit in recent years. And i think that will continue to load up talent in college baseball. NIL is creating some(not all) leverage for some players to head to school. Crazy things happening

[Rainman66]

IMO MLB is in BIG trouble this yearThere slot system and tax to go over will need to be revisited asap. They now have much stiffer competition for players that didn't exist pre NIL.

This will be 1st year they will have to compete directly with big dollar NIL offers to sign drafted prospects.

The slot system pretty much let's the SEC big donors know exactly how much they need to offer via NIL.

I don’t share your pessimism because affiliated minor league teams are down by ~25%. There aren’t as many slots in organizations. MLB needs good players getting reps in college to be ready. NIL will play a much bigger role in players leaving one school for another.

[Dad04]

I thought Julian would be picked by now, despite not being listed in any pre-draft rankings. Shrinking minor leagues may play a role for players' opportunities.

[CajunT]

I thought Julian would be picked by now, despite not being listed in any pre-draft rankings. Shrinking minor leagues may play a role for players' opportunities.

The Slot Money for the last pick in the 10th round was $149K, so the money for a 11th round pick will still be over $100K. If he wants to play professional baseball, will that matter to him if he's drafted later than the 12th round? That's not great money for a minor league career of, but that may not matter to him.

[MWolf]

The Slot Money for the last pick in the 10th round was $149K, so the money for a 11th round pick will still be over $100K. If he wants to play professional baseball, will that matter to him if he's drafted later than the 12th round? That's not great money for a minor league career of, but that may not matter to him.

Another point to consider with JB is that he's a draft eligible sophomore. If he did come back to the Cajuns, he would still have another eligibility year afterward for "leverage" in the next draft. Also another year for him to put up good numbers, longer track record, etc. I think it makes sense for him to be a Cajun next year.

[Dad04]

Another point to consider with JB is that he's a draft eligible sophomore. If he did come back to the Cajuns, he would still have another eligibility year afterward for "leverage" in the next draft. Also another year for him to put up good numbers, longer track record, etc. I think it makes sense for him to be a Cajun next year.

The other (pro) side of the argument is always, 1) shelf life of a baseball player being short and 2) assuming you want to play pro ball, when is the best time to start learning how to be a professional baseball player, next week, or a year from next week?

Which team drafts you also plays a big role. Ideally you get drafted by a team with a shallow talent pool at your position and nothing but aging back ups at the MLB level.

That was Lucroy's situation with the Brewers. He got the break he needed early and ran with it. There was a guy in front of him in the Brewer system, who told the team he didn't want to catch anymore. That guy was out of baseball in a year. Then when he got called up, he replaced some guy named Greg Zaun who was about 35 when he got hurt after about 10 games.

[JayWalker]

Julian will be a Cajun next year

[CajunT]

Julian will be a Cajun next year

Great!

[CajunStros]

Julian will be a Cajun next year

Glad to hear this. Obviously as a fan, and for him as a young man as well. Him behind the plate will be a huge help with the turnover on the mound.

[Duggie35]

The dream of most ballplayers is to make it to the Majors. But the reality is the the chances of 99% of all players making it to the MLB level of baseball is so very low that it is best to plan for the future without baseball. Getting drafted is really the easy part, making it is virtually impossible. Not only do you have to have the skill and mentality to make it, more importantly you have to be in the right situation. Just think of a SS being drafted by the Yankees during the Jeter years. It ain't happening!

So I wish the best for all of them, but most of the time they are better off playing in college, enjoy the experience and prepare for life after baseball. Besides Ron Guidry and Lucroy, do any of you recall any others that have had a significant career at the MLB level in the past 50 years?

[cajun_lannister]

The other (pro) side of the argument is always, 1) shelf life of a baseball player being short and 2) assuming you want to play pro ball, when is the best time to start learning how to be a professional baseball player, next week, or a year from next week?

Which team drafts you also plays a big role. Ideally you get drafted by a team with a shallow talent pool at your position and nothing but aging back ups at the MLB level.

That was Lucroy's situation with the Brewers. He got the break he needed early and ran with it. There was a guy in front of him in the Brewer system, who told the team he didn't want to catch anymore. That guy was out of baseball in a year. Then when he got called up, he replaced some guy named Greg Zaun who was about 35 when he got hurt after about 10 games.

Everyone wants to be a pro ball player but not many have what it take to live that grind.

Hard to give up college life with the cleat chasers for single A ball in Iowa. Especially when you are not a top flight prospect.

[MWolf]

The dream of most ballplayers is to make it to the Majors. But the reality is the the chances of 99% of all players making it to the MLB level of baseball is so very low that it is best to plan for the future without baseball. Getting drafted is really the easy part, making it is virtually impossible. Not only do you have to have the skill and mentality to make it, more importantly you have to be in the right situation. Just think of a SS being drafted by the Yankees during the Jeter years. It ain't happening!

So I wish the best for all of them, but most of the time they are better off playing in college, enjoy the experience and prepare for life after baseball. Besides Ron Guidry and Lucroy, do any of you recall any others that have had a significant career at the MLB level in the past 50 years?

Danny Farquhar and BJ Ryan, but your point stands.

[Dad04]

Julian will be a Cajun next year

Awesome!

[ManAboutTown]

LETS GEAUX

[Dad04]

Everyone wants to be a pro ball player but not many have what it take to live that grind.

Hard to give up college life with the cleat chasers for single A ball in Iowa. Especially when you are not a top flight prospect.

I remember Lucroy posting somewhere his 1st season in Pioneer League pro ball about "the biggest mistake he ever made." turning pro. lol

I know a few who enjoyed the college experience and were very ready to hang it up after 4 seasons and move on. For all but the most talented, getting to D1 and excelling is a huge effort and achieved with some talent, sheer obsession and hard work from about age 10. The best college players work their butts off year round.

I know a very good HS pitcher who came to UL in 2006. After seeing the effort required on an off the field and in the classroom, he left after a year and became a deputy sheriff.