74 replies to this topic

[NewMarketSean]

Kinda sucks for Frederick.

[Mike B]

Kinda sucks for Frederick.

Yes it does.  It bothers me how easily MLB throws away long term relationships, but money talks.

[NewMarketSean]

I kind of get it. Frederick is the odd man out. Worst stadium of the affiliates and a field that routinely gets criticized. But you’d think the closest affiliate to Baltimore would be more than the short season team. I mean I guess it’ll be fun to see the newly drafted guys for a few weeks during the summer. But I wouldn’t be shocked to see the city try to go the independent route to get the stadium more use each year. Especially after it’s been dark for an entire year during Covid.

[BSLNickStevens]

There aren't very many positives to come out of this but for the 4 full-season affiliates now in place for each team, agreements are for 10 years instead of 2 years. So more stability there. 

 

The situation is also still fluid. Teams can elect to not sign the contract and one of the teams left out, like Frederick, can move back in.

[Old Man]

https://www.masnspor...021-season.html

[Chris B]

I kind of get it. Frederick is the odd man out. Worst stadium of the affiliates and a field that routinely gets criticized. But you’d think the closest affiliate to Baltimore would be more than the short season team. I mean I guess it’ll be fun to see the newly drafted guys for a few weeks during the summer. But I wouldn’t be shocked to see the city try to go the independent route to get the stadium more use each year. Especially after it’s been dark for an entire year during Covid.

 

Just to clarify, Frederick joining the MLB Draft League will be mainly for college juniors and seniors looking to get some additional playing time before the new mid-July draft. So for most of the MLB Draft League season, these players will be unaffiliated and will be heavily scouted by teams' amateur scouting departments.

 

I haven't heard what happens in the second half of the league once the draft concludes but I cannot imagine teams nor other agencies will allow their clients to participate unless their contract is finalized and if the club approves (though at that point, I'd assume they'll just send those signed draftees to the FL/AZ complexes for instructional leagues). 

[Nigel Tufnel]

Yeah, sounds like Frederick is now in a poor man's version of the Cape Cod league.

[Nigel Tufnel]

FNP article:

 

Keys part ways with Orioles, join MLB Draft League | News | fredericknewspost.com

[Chris B]

Yeah, sounds like Frederick is now in a poor man's version of the Cape Cod league.

 

Yes and no. Technically MLB is going to actually tout the MLB Draft League as a step-up from the Cape Cod League.

However, in reality, I don't envision that being the case as it is going to be a bit of apples to oranges comparison. Most of the collegiate athletes that play in the Cape Cod league do so in between their sophomore and junior years. As far as I've learned, the MLB Draft League will be for juniors heading in to their senior year that are eligible for the draft that same year. This is only possible due to the draft moving from early June back to mid-July, giving college players a full month and a half of extra game-time.

 

However, I personally (as well as other agencies) are of the mindset that the league may not attract upper-level, round 1-2 talent because the risk of injury or poor performance in the league may hurt draft stock. I think you'll see many more interested players that fall in the middle draft rounds looking to improve their stock (or interest from guys who suffered injuries during the season to get more play time and at-bats/innings on tape). 

 

It'll be interesting to see. It's definitely a brand new era of baseball as it relates to amateur and minor league baseball.

[Why Not?]

There aren't very many positives to come out of this but for the 4 full-season affiliates now in place for each team, agreements are for 10 years instead of 2 years. So more stability there. 

 

The situation is also still fluid. Teams can elect to not sign the contract and one of the teams left out, like Frederick, can move back in.

 

Are all of the agreements for 10 years? I've seen speculation about some of the excluded teams trying to get back into affiliated ball as soon as 2022. 

[NewMarketSean]

Just to clarify, Frederick joining the MLB Draft League will be mainly for college juniors and seniors looking to get some additional playing time before the new mid-July draft. So for most of the MLB Draft League season, these players will be unaffiliated and will be heavily scouted by teams' amateur scouting departments.

I haven't heard what happens in the second half of the league once the draft concludes but I cannot imagine teams nor other agencies will allow their clients to participate unless their contract is finalized and if the club approves (though at that point, I'd assume they'll just send those signed draftees to the FL/AZ complexes for instructional leagues).

Yeah I realized that after the post. That’s even worse. Basically gonna be glorified American Legion games.

[BSLBobPhelan]

Silver lining is I’m gonna get season tickets to see the improved talent at Aberdeen every year now since I live so close. (Once it’s safe to do so of course.)

[Nigel Tufnel]

There's only one top-150 prospect in that entire draft showcase league that they put Frederick in.

 

“Looks like there’s a real struggle to fill out rosters,” one longtime scout said. “There’s maybe five guys worth watching (to scout) and that’s being nice.”

 

Initial MLB Draft League rosters underwhelm longtime scouts: 'It looks like an open tryout for the Indy leagues' – The Athletic

[BSLNickStevens]

Yeah..They have done a good job of highlighting every kid who signs up to play this summer on their Twitter account but I've only seen one name who I'm semi-excited about. 

 

If I'm a mid-major kid who is already a fringe draft pick but have had good scout days at my campus and put together a solid season during the college season, why risk an injury and killing my chances of being drafted?

 

And from a fan's perspective, the Cal Ripken League and Valley League are going to provide higher quality players to go watch if I want to check out collegiate level summer ball in the DMV area.

[Nigel Tufnel]

 

Steve Melewski@masnSteve

 

News from Frederick where the city will join the Atlantic Lg in 2023 while also keeping its MLB Draft Lg team. Lot of ball at Harry Grove next summer!