I am an agent based out of Puerto Rico. The truth about the agent business is that it is dirty, no one doubts that. However some of us believe that being ethical and putting your players' interest above your own leads to greater success because players are more inclined to stick with you, and others want to join you.
Having said that, i hope parents realize that an agent is necessary in this day and age, where the professional sports world is bogged down in so much regulation. However, make sure you do your homework and ask the right questions.
If anyone needs any help on how to select an agent, feel free to email me. Best wishes to all.
FM
Posts: 26 | Location: Puerto Rico | Registered: December 26, 2003
MI6 is right. Agents are usually best suited for those players in the upper rounds, I'd say 1-12. However, some players who slip for other reasons (i.e. college commitment, other sport) should think of hiring an agent if the bonus offering is acceptable, or close to acceptable.
The reason an agent is necessary only for these types of players is because they generally are the only group that is offered substantial bonus dollars. Hence an agent can maximize the amount.
Once signed, however, I recommend ALL players retain an agent. Such a service is indespensable in this day and age when a player can be released at any moment. The agent's ability to furnish the player with all his equipment (bats, gloves, etc.), and his efforts in finding the athlete a job when he is let go, is worth being represented.
An agent who can provide additional services, as I try to do, is worth his weight in gold.
I hope I've been of help.
FM
Posts: 26 | Location: Puerto Rico | Registered: December 26, 2003
How do you guess what round you may go in? say Baseball America has you ranked 100. rather than guess you are a 4th rounder should you double the ranking to figure in college and jr college players.....so you MAY.... be looking at the 7th round???
Posts: 1176 | Location: NJ | Registered: December 30, 2002
Chicks, Agents fees can vary, but usually around 4% of the signing bonus and 10% of any "endorsement money" that may become available.
NJBB, Rankings by BA is not an exact science, but they do the best job they can with the information they receive. I would not even try to guess where a player might be drafted based on the class ranking. Too many variables. As an example, my son's "ranking" continually went down from his sophomore year primarily because he didn't participate for various reasons in the many showcases around the country.(Did participate in Area Code) If a player is not seen, it's tough to "rank" a player. In his Jr. year, I was told he was "ranked" in the 250's. He ended up being drafted in the 3rd round in 2003. The draft is its own mysterious process. Most scouts will tell you that they find the "rankings" from various organizations great starting points, but they make their own rankings and organizational decisions based on their needs, etc. Good luck to you.
Posts: 159 | Location: Nevada | Registered: January 02, 2003
NVR1 has obviously been through the whole draft experience.
When you ask what percentage the agent will make, I'm guessing you're referring to the signing bonus. It is always between 3-5%.
What I do, is charge my percentage from the bonus I NEGOTIATE. What this means is that if a scout comes to me with an initial offer, and the player whished to accept, I did no work, so I don't take a percentage. However, as I'm sure you all know, an initial offering is usually just a feeler, and can be increased through efficient negotiations.
As far as predicting where a player will go, you really don't know. What you tend to do is guess who will eb in the first ten rounds, no matter the placing. Once you have such a feel, the individual round is not THAT important.
Generally, agents know when a player has a lot of buzz around him, and when another is mostly viewed as a draft and follow. While rankings are an immense help, you really go by your gut.
FM
Posts: 26 | Location: Puerto Rico | Registered: December 26, 2003
fmarq - Any tips / warnings on what to look for in picking an Advisor. They all seem to come from the same charm school when you meet them and they are seeking your approval.
Posts: 14 | Location: Midwest | Registered: December 28, 2002
Picking an agent/advisor can be one of the most important decisions in a players career. If chosen correctly, the agent could spearhead the player's career for its duration, which is much better than having to switch agents.
A couple of things I tell everyone:
1.)Don't choose an agent based on his client list. While it is important that an agent have experience, don't be impressed if he represents everyone from A-Rod to Joe Mauer. The fact is that the more players an agent has of an advanced level, the less time he'll have for you or your son.
I know, because my client list doesn't include any big leaguers, yet I give better service than 99% of the agents out their. (Humility aside).
2.) Make sure the agent specify ALL the services he guarantees he can provide. Then, make sure those services are aimed at developing your son, not just keeping him happy. For example, an agent willing to provide personal training is much better than one who is constantly sending the athlete bats and gloves.
3.) An agent who is a lawyer or law student is much better than someone who is not. The legal complexities involved in today's game are evident in any negotiation, thus someone who knows the ropes is much more effective.
4.) If the agent sends a representative and does not visit himself, he's not worth hiring. If an agent doesn't consider your son or any player important enough to visit him personally, you can be sure he won't even pass by a minor league stadium.
This are just a few factors I consider important. Just my opinion. Hope I've been of help.
FM
Posts: 26 | Location: Puerto Rico | Registered: December 26, 2003
Technically speaking, no, you can't just fire an agent. Most contracts require "just cause" in order for the agreement to be cancelled. What is just cause? That's for a court or arbitrator to decide.
Notwithstanding the above, the reality of it is you can fire an agent whenever you like with a mere letter. I've never heard of an agent going after a player for letting him go alleging lack of cause. To do so would probably look bad in the eyes of most other athletes, so agents don't go that route.
FM
Posts: 26 | Location: Puerto Rico | Registered: December 26, 2003
quote: Rankings by BA is not an exact science, but they do the best job they can with the information they receive. I would not even try to guess where a player might be drafted based on the class ranking. Too many variables. As an example, my son's "ranking" continually went down from his sophomore year primarily because he didn't participate for various reasons in the many showcases around the country.(Did participate in Area Code) If a player is not seen, it's tough to "rank" a player. In his Jr. year, I was told he was "ranked" in the 250's. He ended up being drafted in the 3rd round in 2003. The draft is its own mysterious process. Most scouts will tell you that they find the "rankings" from various organizations great starting points, but they make their own rankings and organizational decisions based on their needs, etc. Good luck to you.
NVR, Excellent explanation, a very accurate assessment. Players are ranked by an organization that does not have any draft picks. It's a big benifit to be ranked, but where a player is ranked is not so important. In fact, there are several unranked players drafted every year.
If your son is who I think he is... He was ranked much higher than 250 his senior year. One of his biggest boosters was Rob Bruno (NorCal). Turned out Rob knew what he was talking about! "BBScout" (Doug) wasn't surprised either.
Best of luck to your son.
Posts: 4832 | Location: Cedar Rapids, Iowa | Registered: December 27, 2002
PG, Having been through the pr****ss, It still leaves me wondering how some organizations do the rankings. It is my opinion that you guys do about the best at being accurate. Some can be insulting and some can be what I call fluff.
"Everybody kind of perceives me as being angry. It's not anger, it's motivation." Roger Clemens
Posts: 1200 | Location: Jacksonville, Florida, USA | Registered: December 27, 2002
Agents use rankings, not to predict in what round a player will be selected, but rather which players are highly regarded. These are the players that are most certain to be selected in the upper rounds.
FM
Posts: 26 | Location: Puerto Rico | Registered: December 26, 2003
