Some of those kids had a good first summer. Check out Jeff Natale from Trinity (CT). for the Greenville Class A team (BoSox). There are many others, D3 kids have a chance at the pro lvel.
Very interesting information. In 26 MLB Drafts 1980-2005 there were 495 DIII selections of the overall 34,814 picks (1.4%). There were 4 DIII selections in the first 30 picks and 22 DIII selections in the first 100 picks of these 26 drafts. Billy Wagner out of Ferrum was the highest pick at #12 overall in the 1993 draft.
Posts: 27 | Location: Virginia | Registered: December 13, 2005
and many more go undrafted and are picked up as free-agents...very common in DIII simply because the "national exposure" may not be as high...organizations do not have to "waste a draft pick" if they did the research and no one esle knows the kid!
VJC, even though I am a huge fan of DIII, I think it is might be over stating the case to classify DIII free agent signings as "very common." Certainly happens on occasion but not more than that.
'You don't have to be a great player to play in the major leagues, you've got to be a good one every day.'
Posts: 2052 | Location: ca | Registered: February 11, 2003
VJC, I am pretty familiar with DIII outside of CA and also somewhat familiar with professional ball. I guess it depends on what you mean by "often." I would propose to you there are more DIII players drafted than are signed as free agents.
'You don't have to be a great player to play in the major leagues, you've got to be a good one every day.'
Posts: 2052 | Location: ca | Registered: February 11, 2003
That's where I would disagree...by "often" I mean more are picked up as free agents than drafted...depending on the year 15-25 are drafted...I can count minimum of 10 in last two yrs from MD who were signed afterwards...and that's just a small sample...many scouts pride themselves on trying to find that guy who was missed and give him an opportuninty...now how many are still playing...we are probably speaking of a very low number...these guys probably get 1 maybe 2 yrs max to prove themselves and move on! I would venture to say more are FA's than drafted due to lack of exposure...and it depends on the organization...the "former" local O's scout would give a DIII player a shot, period...where Pittsburgh, Mets, Phillies were very active...but of course being an O's fan...not surprised...and oh by the way "former scout" He was canned!
Coach, you are not going to find anyone more supportive of DIII than me. A DIII coach made our son one of those few who got drafted. I know how hard he has worked to get 2 other kids a shot...and how hard it is. Maybe scouts do a better job in TX and the other states with SCAC schools but, IMO, getting to sign a professional contract from DIII does not happen "often" whether you are a free agent or a drafted player. According to the DIII baseball website that started this thread, there have only been 10 free agent signings in the last two years...from all of DIII baseball. Assume you must have been including independent leagues and the like which does increase the numbers, I would agree. http://odac.bridgewater.edu/div3base/draft.htm
'You don't have to be a great player to play in the major leagues, you've got to be a good one every day.'
Posts: 2052 | Location: ca | Registered: February 11, 2003
first, I never said that getting signed from DIII happens often...it happens more often than people think...if you compare "often" to the DI level there is not competition...and I can tell you I love the website you are referring to, however when discussing signing of free agents, it's not comprehensive, only because they have to rely on the coach to give them the info...for instance one of my players does not show after he signed with an independent club, and I can name at least 6 others off the top of my head from this region that signed and do not show on that list...I'm not trying to argue..but the draft is much more public than FA signings...the simple point being made is that players do get drafted and signed from the DIII level, I would classify it as "often" as most parents and people I recruit think that DIII is a level just above High School JV...that's all!
One of the best players I've seen during my son's college career was an'05 JHU grad who signed and played well last summer (He's not on that list, so certainly there are others)
re: "MVP in Omaha 2005.Undrafted." sounds like conventional wisdom run amok....
Given the DH rule and the fact they are absolutely terrible, my Royals should have tendered an offer.
But my point was actually that D3 is low profile enough that no-one will ever actually track and/or know the number of D3 guys who sign after the draft.
At least one player has been drafted or signed off my son's D-3 team each of the last 3 years and I see scouts at just about every game, which I think is pretty typical here in Southern California.
Pitchers will especially get a look. the mound is the same distance in every division
Posts: 1349 | Location: Los Angeles, Ca, USA | Registered: May 29, 2003
Hey HeyBatter - I posted on this site awhile back regarding the program at Pomona Pitzer. Another poster referred me to your previous posts. Can you tell me a little about the program and what your son thinks of playing there?
Posts: 10 | Location: USA | Registered: February 01, 2006
Very interesting posts. We live this situation. My son is a soph. at a small New England D-III (Red sox co-gm alum.) He is a pitcher. His desire and hopefully talent will get him into that small 1.5% - June 07 along long way off.. We shall see...We shall see... HeyBatter my son will be in So. Cal (Spring Training-- In a few weeks)
Posts: 162 | Location: New York | Registered: December 29, 2002
