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MLB's draft combine has a fundamental problem: Some top players don't want to attend
MLB's draft combine has a fundamental problem: Some top players don't want to attend

New York Times

time6 days ago

  • Sport
  • New York Times

MLB's draft combine has a fundamental problem: Some top players don't want to attend

PHOENIX — Watching the MLB Draft Combine on television is an engaging experience. Studio hosts conduct light-hearted in-person interviews, interspersed with an up-close look at Statcast data from on-field drills. It's coverage of players that, until now, may have only forayed into the public consciousness through grainy game feeds or online mock drafts, or for a select few, standout moments at the College World Series. Advertisement On TV, it's a put-together product. But in person, the event is sterile and quiet. Chase Field, which has a capacity 48,519, houses a couple hundred scouts, agents, players, team personnel and media during the week-long event. Music is either non-existent or at a soft murmur, so as not to disturb meetings going in the suites. Fans are not permitted, for fear of autograph hounds impacting the event's flow. The combine — five years into its existence — is polarizing. For some in the industry, it's incredibly valuable. For others, it's viewed as contrived, and more importantly, a risk for players to even attend because they will be asked to submit to MRIs and other medical testing that their agents worry could impact their stock. 'It's media and medicals,' said one industry source on the players' side, who was granted anonymity in order to speak freely. 'This is a media event really, where the league is trying to get medical information from guys. It's really that simple.' The combine takes place in June, approximately a month before the draft. Around 300 players are invited, where they meet with teams, participate in drills, and, most notably, submit to medical testing. The compliments and criticisms vary. For some draft hopefuls, it offers a last, best chance to be noticed and move up. For others, it poses the danger of torpedoing their draft chances. 'The player gets access to his MRIs, but he doesn't get access to what the 30 teams are saying about his MRI, and what their conclusion is,' said prominent MLB agent Scott Boras. 'For a healthy young player to open himself to that subjective review, when he's perfectly healthy and there is no information to suggest that he not — that part of it is something that would most likely operate against him.' Boras represents high school infielder Ethan Holliday, who is a leading candidate to go No. 1 in the draft next month. Holliday was notably absent from the combine. Advertisement Teams and their scouting directors largely laud the event as helpful. Because for them, it is. They get the best players, all in one spot, with a chance to have conversations, watch them and collect data in a controlled environment. 'I think there's definitely been value to it,' said Michael Holmes, the Giants' director of amateur scouting. 'It just added more layers to the evaluation process.' But to many agents and advisors, the combine is flawed. Very few scouts actually watch players do their drills. There's consternation over who gets invited, and who does not — with the list determined by MLB itself. And most importantly, there are the medicals — and the risk that any previously unknown blip could irreparably harm a player's pro ball dreams. Another agent, who spoke on condition of anonymity in order to speak freely, said that while he fought for his clients to get invitations, the combine isn't designed to help high-profile prospects, and lamented its overall structure, which makes it difficult for team scouts to watch the events because in-person meetings with prospects are taking place in team suites at the same time. 'Where are the scouts? Look around. Not many,' the agent said, pointing to the Chase Field seats as the onfield drills were in progress. 'There's a couple behind home plate. Who are they doing this for? Are they only going to use the data, is that all it's for?' Concerns over medicals have been quelled somewhat since the last Collective Bargaining Agreement, when the two sides agreed that players who undergo testing are guaranteed 75 percent of the slot value for their pick, if they're selected. It effectively leaves the player choosing between two different risks. Submit to the testing, and potentially lower your chances of getting drafted if it uncovers anything. Or wait to do the testing until you're drafted, and risk not recouping any signing bonus if the team decides not to sign you. Advertisement 'Combine medical testing is a voluntary incentive-based program collectively bargained with the MLBPA,' an MLB spokesperson said in a written statement. 'The majority of players who are eligible have opted into testing since its inception, and the program is a win-win for players and Clubs.' The issue, however, with many elements of this event, is that not everything is a win-win for everyone involved. Even front offices can see some downsides. One MLB executive said that while the combine is a good thing in a vacuum, it punishes the teams that work hard at scouting by leveling the playing field for teams that don't commit the same resources. Jeremy Booth, founder of the Future Star Series, worked closely with more than 90 players invited to the combine. Like most everyone, he takes a nuanced perspective on the combine. Having all 30 teams in one place is a good thing. A lot of the players he works with come to Phoenix looking to get on someone's radar, and this is a chance they wouldn't otherwise have. But that doesn't mean it's perfect, either. He, too, was frustrated at the lack of scouts watching, and expressed concern for the lesser prospects that show up, don't get seen by scouts, and aren't requested for interviews by many, or any, teams. 'I'm only coming here to raise my stock, I'm not coming here to lower it,' Booth said of the players' thought process. 'And there's a risk of lowering it. 'Major League Baseball has a duty to put together the best format that protects the player, and gives (teams) what they need to see. They're on their way. But there are things that can be done differently.' Booth works with Kayson Cunningham, a high school infielder projected to go in the middle of the first round, according to The Athletic's Keith Law. Cunningham bucked conventional wisdom by completing all the workouts. His stock is already extremely high, and he just as easily could have skipped everything. Advertisement Then there are Cunningham's fellow high school infielders: Holliday and Eli Willits (both projected top-10 picks) didn't show up, while shortstop Billy Carlson (also projected to go in the top 10) attended the combine but didn't do any on-field workouts. Carlson said he believed the event was important for him because of the interviews with teams above all else. 'I just want to let teams know who I am as a person,' Carlson said. 'I think that's the value.' For others, taking the medical examinations is actually part of the draw in attending. Adonys Guzman, a catcher from the University of Arizona, is projected to go in the early-to-middle rounds, but is not expected to garner a first-round selection. He made the calculation that conducting all the medical examinations — MRIs which took six hours — was a net benefit to him. 'I feel pretty healthy and I was able to play the whole year and still feel pretty good,' Guzman said. 'So I had no problem having them see what my medicals looked like. It also guaranteed (me) 75 percent of my signing bonus, so that was another reason I decided to get it done. I'd rather know now.' MLB's combine is still trying to establish credibility with its fans and its players. This will never be the NFL or NBA combines. Those events feature ready-made stars, many of whom became household names on their college teams. The vast majority of those at the MLB combine will either never make the big leagues, or take years to get there. The league has tried to sell the product to fans through MLB Network, content creators, and even through giving invitations to the sons of high-profile players like C.C. Sabathia and Manny Ramirez. But ultimately, MLB's biggest issue is not selling the combine to the viewing audience. The question for those in the league office is less about whether its combine can garner the same popularity as its big sport brethren, and more about whether it can capture the trust of the players and agents who are invited to participate. 'There are some holes, it's never going to be perfect,' Booth said. 'We're not calling the baby ugly. There are a lot of positives here. There are some tweaks that are needed.' (Top photo of non-attendees Ethan Holliday and Eli Willits: Sarah Phipps / The Oklahoman via Imagn Images)

Former Archbishop McCarthy infielder Antonio Jimenez stands out at MLB Draft Combine
Former Archbishop McCarthy infielder Antonio Jimenez stands out at MLB Draft Combine

Miami Herald

time24-06-2025

  • Sport
  • Miami Herald

Former Archbishop McCarthy infielder Antonio Jimenez stands out at MLB Draft Combine

Major League Baseball's Draft Combine remains a hidden gem in the evaluation process for next month's MLB Draft. The showcase at Chase Field, the retractable-roof home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, features hundreds of draft-eligible high school and college players. This week, the participants went through pro-style workouts, including batting practice, fielding drills, while pitchers threw off the mound for scouts and executives of all 30 Major League teams. Those basic drills were conducted the first two days, and after that, players who chose to, had their running times tested. Players were medically checked as well. From the club's perspective, perhaps the most significant part of the combine is it provides a chance to meet individually with players. In its fifth year, the MLB Draft Combine has a strong track record of getting those who participated selected in the annual draft. In 2024, according to 224 of the 305 who made the trip to Phoenix, had their names called on draft days. Among them was PJ Morlando, who put on an exit-velocity show, which factored heavily in the Miami Marlins selecting the outfielder with the 16th overall pick. Morlando signed for $3.4 million. This year, a total of 322 players accepted invitations. Noticeably absent, however, were players from South Florida. Just one, Central Florida shortstop Antonio Jimenez, who attended Archbishop McCarthy, is the lone South Florida player on hand. Being invited is a process that involves rankings by outlets like MLB Pipeline, as well as recommendations by all 30 MLB clubs. A year ago, from the prep ranks alone, a handful of players from Miami-Dade and Broward counties attended: Devin Fitz-Gerald (Stoneman Douglas), Ronny Cruz (Miami Christian), Michael Torres (Doral Academy) and Manny Marin and Lazaro Collera (Westminster Christian). Of that group, Fitz-Gerald and Cruz were drafted by the Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs, respectively. Torres and Collera ended up at Miami, and Marin went to Tennessee. For his part, Jimenez represented South Florida well, dramatically improving his chances of getting selected during the MLB Draft on July 13-14. Formerly a switch-hitter, Jimenez now exclusively bats from the right-side, and the power is evident. The shortstop posted a maximum exit velocity of 108.4 mph during BP, and had several other balls struck more than 100 mph. 'I just wanted to go up there and be nice and loose,' Jimenez told the Miami Herald. 'Not try to do too much. Focus on my breathing and being calm at the plate. Just try to put the barrel on it and see what happens. I was lucky enough to hit the ball that hard.' Jimenez's 108.4 mph EV performance brought back memories of the 2024 combine when Cruz opened eyes with 107.9 mph EV. From the Combine, Cruz's stock skyrocketed, and the shortstop skipped a chance to play for the Miami Hurricanes after being taken in the third round. The Cubs signed Cruz for $620,000, and he is currently ranked 13th in their system, per MLB Pipeline. 'I'm trying to do anything I can to help my stock a little bit,' Jimenez said. 'That kid, Ronny Cruz, is a great player, and he put himself in a great position. I'm learning from different players and what they did. I'm trying to follow their footsteps.' After graduating from Archbishop McCarthy in 2023, Jimenez spent one season at Miami, before transferring to Central Florida. This year he ended up being second team All-Big 12, posting a .329 batting average with 11 home runs and 51 RBIs. During fielding drills at the Combine on Wednesday, Jimenez showed off his plus arm with several on-the-money throws. 'Around this time, the [on-field] evaluation is done,' Jimenez said. 'My job is to come out here, put a smile on my face, and get to hit BP in a big-league ballpark, and hit the ball hard. Show pretty good actions for my position and have fun. Ultimately, just try to be the best person I can at these meetings.' Jimenez is ranked 167th on MLB Pipeline's Top 200 pre-Draft rankings. In its fifth year, the MLB Draft Combine continues to find its footing on how best to assemble players at one venue, while increasing its popularity and the overall popularity of the MLB Draft. For a market like South Florida, having just one player invited is a little disappointing, considering Miami-Dade and Broward counties have at least a half dozen deserving prep players, including Gabriel Milano (Doral Academy), Mario Magana (Columbus), Jordan Rich (American Heritage), Dylan Dubovik (American Heritage), Nick Diaz (Stoneman Douglas) and Zachary Malvasio (St. Thomas Aquinas). Next year, it should be a different story with Jacob Lombard (Gulliver Prep), Gio Rojas (Stoneman Douglas) and former Archbishop McCarthy infielder Justin Lebron (at Alabama, for now), eligible to be invited. Who wasn't invited, however, doesn't take away from who was. Jimenez capitalized on his opportunity to perform at Chase Field, and in the process checked a lot of boxes that MLB teams covet. 'Who can just carry themselves like a big leaguer,' Jimenez said. 'How calm can they be when every signal scout in the world is watching them hit BP, and take ground balls. How loose and how fun can you be, and how can you handle yourself professionally.'

Notre Dame dual-sport signee Brandon Logan has won a high school Gold Glove
Notre Dame dual-sport signee Brandon Logan has won a high school Gold Glove

USA Today

time19-06-2025

  • Sport
  • USA Today

Notre Dame dual-sport signee Brandon Logan has won a high school Gold Glove

Notre Dame dual-sport signee Brandon Logan has won a high school Gold Glove Notre Dame dual-sport signee Brandon Logan is having quite the summer, one that is showing how impressive of an athlete he is. The 6-foot and 185-pound in-state star will play both baseball and football for the Irish, and at the current moment he's participating in the MLB Draft Combine. Logan's efforts on the diamond are impressive, and on Wednesday Rawlings Baseball announced that he was one of nine high school players nationally that won a Gold Glove. Logan roamed the outfield for his Fort Wayne Snider team this spring, using his speed and instincts to be one of the best defenders in the nation. There is potential that he could get drafted next month, and then he'd have a big decision on his hands. While Logan could play both sports for Notre Dame, the opportunity to start his professional career might be too hard to pass up if drafted high enough. We will soon know if that is something he'll have to consider, but at the current moment, the Irish are getting a star at safety and a gold glover at centerfield.

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