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Sudden MLB Draft Rule Changes

Well, "reinterpretations" is what MLB is calling it.

The biggest news is 5th year college seniors, at least those not bound for the NCAA tourny, used to be able to sign as free agents.

No longer says the NCAA.  Its a shame, I would have liked to see what a strong draft talent could have fetched as a free agent.

Real top talents almost never happen to be 5th-year seniors but there are usually some interesting sluggers or relief pitchers.  Two closers last year, Stephen Clyne of Clemson and Tristan Manguson of Louisville, could have started small-scall bidding wars/skirmishes.  Both were guys with stuff that could play well in an MLB pen and who were having good years on the mound.  Neither of those guys were special, so we weren't going to see any big bonuses but they could have earned themselves 6-figures.

Oh well.  I'll be sad to see it go since most 5th year seniors are non-superstars and since seniors always get crap bonuses in the draft I thought it was a nice way for older guys to make themselves a few extra thousand as well as being able to find the best org for themselves

Also, due to some weird re-changing of how 2nd round comp picks are awarded Boston and Atlanta saw their comp picks drops 18 spots from the 50s to the 70s.  I can't explain really how this happened, its MLBs third different ruling on the issue.   BA's Jim Callis explains it here...

http://www.baseballamerica.com/blog/draft/?p=272

Side notes... since I hate short diaries

Some great college baseball games tonight.  #2 UNC used an ELEVEN RUN 8th inning (!) to beat #3 FSU in a monster show down.  I should add that 11 8th came in a strong pitchers park and featured only one homer.

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#1 Miami beat a talented Virginia team in a 1-0 classic.  Freshman Chris Hernandez gave up only 2 hits in 8 IP.  The kid doesn't throw hard but he is a damn wizard out there.  He has a nice change and curve and can spot his pitches.  And as you would expect from a freshman who is already an ace, hes got a damn good idea of how to pitch.  I mean guys with great fastball like Matt Harvey, Kyle Blair and Greg Peavey can't hold a candle to what he is doing... and gosh knows he didn't get any of their hype.  And those guys (well Blair and esp Harvey) are pitching WELL.

Joey Terdoslavich got 2 hits, including the games only extra baser, and Jr CF Blake Tekotte (a good looking, speedy 4th OF - or better? - prospect) had two hits including the game's only RBI.

UVA senior P Pat McAnaney, who is in the top 10 in the NCAA in K/9, had a great start, and a complete game, but got the super tough luck loss.  He could be a really good senior value in the 5-9 round range

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A couple solid offenses beat up on a couple very good pitchers as a good Texas A/M team rallied to beat Mizzou 9-8.  Mizzou RHP Nick Tepesch, a good prospect from last years draft who is now a great one for 2010, gave up his first college runs and got his first college L.  He has been Mizzou's closer but will probably start next year.  Mizzou's Aaron Crow went 6 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 5 BB, 5 K in the start.

The game featured 9 doubles, two by Ryan Lollis (an interesting mid round OF), and 2 homers

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Az State soph RHP Mike Leake didn't pitch his best (he carried a sick 68-8 K/BB in 68 IP into the game) but battled and got a complete game 11-7 W against a big hitting Cal team.He was a top 10 rounder of the As out of HS and will go high next year.

Brett Wallace went 2-3, HR, HBP for AzSt

Tyson Ross, in what was supposed to be his healthiest start to date gave up 8 runs on 8 hits and 5 BB in 5+ IP, K-ing 5.

Cal's Kevin Miller, the out-of-nowhere freshman pitcher of the year, will start tomorrow.  Hes another guy who fits what I was saying earlier about Hernandez.  He wasn't the draft prospect other guys were out of HS but came to college more ready to pitch than most upperclassmen!

Cal's big 2 hitters (David Cooper, Josh Satin) went 1-8 with 2 walks but Jr C/OF Charlie Cutler, who was probably higher rated draft-wise out of HS than those two, went 3-4 w HBP.  He is Cali's career HS hits, runs, triple and RBI champ.  He hasn't hit for power in college but he makes good contact, walks a little, has a good arm and was liked as draftee out of HS.

He could be a decent later round pickup but probably will be back for year #4

 

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