Unsigned Draft Picks

by Diggity Dino on Aug 2, 2007 11:12 AM EDT

I have a quick question about the new August 15 draft pick signing deadline. My understanding is that if a draft pick is unsigned after that date, the team that drafted him can no longer sign him. If a player is a high schooler or underclassman, they would go back into the draft the following year. If a player was a college senior, do they become a FA and can be bid upon by all teams? If so, are there any 1st-2nd round (or other high profile) college seniors that are still unsigned? Could they possibly intentionally not sign until after the deadline in hopes of becoming a free agent and allowing the bidding process to up their contracts? Or am I just thinking too conspiratorially about this?

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Conspiracy Theory

Not the case at all.

The new deadline basically means that most players that will sign above slot will do so at the late minute. I would not worry about guys not signing, as we are likely to hear a slew of signings during the 3 - 4 day period leading up to the 15th.

As far as eligibility is concerned, yes, teams must sign their picks by Aug 15 or lose the ability to sign that player until the next year's draft (where they could theoretically pick that same player again, assuming said player is eligible for the draft).

For the HS seniors, once they step foot on the campus of a college, they lose their draft eligibility for 3 years (or until age 21, whichever comes sooner). A kid like Porcello could technically sign with an independent league team, pitch for a year, and get drafted again. But those that do not sign are likely to go to college.

For college underclassmen, if they were eligible this year, they will be eligible next year (most likely as a Senior).

For the college seniors, this is where the rules get a little fuzzy for me. I believe they would need to go to independent ball for a year, then wait to get re-drafted.

The way I understand it, if you are drafted, you are not eligible for "free agency" for 1 full year. That's why Seniors that get drafted usually sign at slot - they have practically no leverage whatsoever.

by guru4u on Aug 2, 2007 11:14 AM EDT reply actions

You're Right

Bravesin07 is so damn reactionary. I bet when his mother took him to the Dr., his leg kicked before the Dr. hit his knee with the reflex hammer. --slurve

by Dfarth on Aug 2, 2007 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions

Well...

"For the HS seniors, once they step foot on the campus of a college, they lose their draft eligibility for 3 years (or until age 21, whichever comes sooner)."

I think the rule is really once they step foot in class they lose their eligibility. Not a lot of difference, but a guy like Chad Jones, who would play football if not signed, would be on campus a lot sooner than he would start classes. Anyways, that's the way I remember the rule.

by astrosfan76 on Aug 2, 2007 10:49 PM EDT up reply actions

There used to be a loophole

Where if the teams didn't offer the draftees a contract within 5 days, they would become free agents, but that's since been closed up. That's how Travis Lee, Matt White and Bobby Seay signed huge contracts back in 96.

Vice-Chairman of the Sonnanstine Underground Railroad

by Brickhaus on Aug 2, 2007 1:38 PM EDT reply actions

Draft Compensation?

If a team doesn't sign their first or second round pick, they automatically get the following pick as a competition of sorts, right?

by Jeteupthemiddle on Aug 2, 2007 2:54 PM EDT reply actions

Yes

And that compensation changed this year. Before, it was a supplemental round pick. Starting in 2008, compensation for unsigned 2007 picks are at the slot. So, for example, if Detroit fails to sign Porcello, they get to pick at #27B next year (because they picked at #27 this year). The team picking at #27 next year will pick before Detroit, but Detroit will pick before #28.

by guru4u on Aug 2, 2007 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions

College Seniors

So an unsigned college senior would actually go back into the draft again next year, even though he would be a year removed from college?

by Diggity Dino on Aug 3, 2007 8:20 AM EDT reply actions

Don't believe so

And I'm just guessing this from my decidedly limited professional experience, but undrafted college seniors are free agents. That one guy I asked about in diaries (Tim Binkoski) went undrafted out of Quinnipiac, but signed a minor-league deal with the Phillies afterwards.

"...and the only things I've found better than listening to Vin Scully are listening to Keith Jackson and uncut cocaine." (bleedjaxblue)

by drjayphd on Aug 3, 2007 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions