2015 MLB Draft

[Play Angry]

Besides having to wait for final decisions, is this about the best possible draft scenario we could have hoped for?

Seems like it, right? Williams was the only one who went much higher than I expected, whereas a bunch of guys we were worried about are still undrafted or fell pretty far.

[1972Shocker]

Seems like it, right? Williams was the only one who went much higher than I expected, whereas a bunch of guys we were worried about are still undrafted or fell pretty far.

I generally agree with that although not totally surprised about Williams. MLB teams mostly draft based on potential and Chase definitely has good stuff. If he can find some consistent command of his pitches he would be an interesting prospect.

I expect Daniel Kihle will sign based on HCTB's prior comments. A good player, but not irreplaceable.

Not real sure about Sam. A lot may depend on what kind of start he has in the Cape and it may depend on whether he still wants to try to develop as a pitcher. Losing Sam would hurt.

I think if Willie Schwanke returns and has a healthy and productive season he could greatly enhance his draft status although he will have to think about how being drafted as a senior would effect him. Indiana State LHP Jeff Degano was the 1st senior taken this year at #57 in Round 2. It will be interesting to see what kind of signing bonus he gets.

I believe Chase Williams has a child now and I don't know how being a father will impact his thinking about staying in college or moving on. I don't think Chase will command much of a bonus. He has good stuff but needs a lot of work developing better command of his pitches.

You would think Isaac Anderson would return but who knows.

Dayton Dugas has already said he is coming to Wichita State and I expect Conor Lungwitz will be a Shocker as well.

What you just don't know about a lot of these guys is how much they value the college education and the college experience.

[1972Shocker]

Here is my research from last year about how the slot money and draft budgets work. It's not rocket science but it is not exactly the simplest set of rules either.

http://shockernet.net/forum/showthread.php?18464-2014-MLB-Draft&p=494849&viewfull=1#post494849

[1972Shocker]

Last year 28 of the 30 players drafted in the 10th round signed. These players had average slot money at about $133,600. These players received an average signing bonus of $39,300.

Of the 28 players who signed only 4 received the full slot allowance averaging $138,750. The other 24 players who signed received an average bonus of $22,750.

Off the 4 players who received full slot allowances 1 was a HS players, 2 were college juniors and 1 was a college senior. 1 other college senior received a $90,000 signing bonus. However, 17 players picked in the 10th round last year signed for bonuses ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 (averaging $7,400). All 17 of those players were college seniors supporting the contention by @WuShock16: that seniors generally have very little leverage.

Although teams can pay players drafted in rounds 11 through 40 up $100,000 without that counting against their draft budget. Also, if they do not spend their full allotment of their draft budget on their top 10 picks they can sweeten the pot even more to the extent they have unused budget to absorb the bonus in excess of $100,000. (2014 limits)

Sam Hilliard might entice a decent bonus if he gets off to a hot start in the Cape. Otherwise, our guys might get a big enough bonus to buy a low end new car after taxes.

[SB Shock]

I believe Chase Williams has a child now and I don't know how being a father will impact his thinking about staying in college or moving on.

I would hope these guys a level headed enough that the best thing they can do for themselves and their family is get their degree unless MLB is throwing life changing money at them.

[RoyalShock]

That didn't take long.

Jacob Albracht @KWCHJacob
BREAKING: 1st team All-Valley OF Sam Hilliard to sign with Rockies. Will not return to Wichita State next season.

So long, Sam.

[WstateU]

That didn't take long.

Jacob Albracht @KWCHJacob
BREAKING: 1st team All-Valley OF Sam Hilliard to sign with Rockies. Will not return to Wichita State next season.

So long, Sam.

Happy Trails To You...

[SPEShockAlum]

Dang it. Well, at least his partner in crime in the middle of the order is still around.

[WuShock16]

That hurts. I wished he could have stuck around another year to see if he could have helped lead a turnaround. That said, this is the danger with juniors getting drafted. If they get drafted in a reasonable spot, they almost have to sign to guarantee making at least a bit of decent money in the game of baseball. Barring an All-America type season next year, he probably get peanuts next year for his signing bonus. Best of luck to him!

[1972Shocker]

Yea, we were all hoping that Sam would play it again for the Shocks.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed watching Sam down the stretch this year and I wish him all the best in pursuing his dream.

[shockmonster]

For those of you that are knowledgeable about this year, what happened to Chase Rader? He was drafted fairly high last year. Does he have the talent to have a comeback year?

[RoyalShock]

Kihle is gone, too.

http://www.kake.com/sports/headlines/Wichita-States-Daniel-Kihle-to-sign-with-Twins-307081741.html

[WSUwatcher]

Juniors have the option to go back to school, thus they can demand six-figures to sign. If the team doesn't pay, they'll go back to school. If you are a senior, a team can offer you a take-it-or-leave-it number like $1,000. If you don't take that, you won't play affiliated ball, have to go down to independent ball to play professionally, and go from a longshot to reach The Show to being a no-shot.

No shot? Not really true, 16; and I'm not just talking about the talented odd duck such as J.D. Drew, who didn't like his draft and thus chose to sit out and try again the next year. We've even seen it right at WSU, where Mike Lansing's back issues that ended his 1989 season short of Omaha brought him back to WSU for a disappointing senior season and then ultimately led to his starting in the minors with a couple of years on an unaffiliated team in Miami, the first of which wasn't even very good. But then he was picked up by the Expos organization, and a year later began a respectable nine seasons in the majors.

If someone thinks you can fill their needs, they'll find you and pay you enough that you want to get on board.

[1972Shocker]

For those of you that are knowledgeable about this year, what happened to Chase Rader? He was drafted fairly high last year. Does he have the talent to have a comeback year?

I can't claim to meet your knowledgeable standard and my answer will prove that. Chase certainly had a year well below expectations not only for the fans, but I am sure more so for himself as well. Not really sure whether the talent is there or not. Seemed to be at the Juco level but you just never know how a player will handle the move to the next level up. I suspect Chase wasn't ready for the quality of pitching the Shocks ran into frequently last year. Whether he will rebound next season or not is a great question and if I could answer that I would be knowledgeable. Another one of those we will have to wait and see deals I guess.

[1972Shocker]

Kihle is gone, too.

http://www.kake.com/sports/headlines...307081741.html

That one I was expecting. I think the year DK had in the Cape last year brought his stock way up. Good luck Daniel.