College Or Pros, What Pays For Young Baseball Players?

If your son is a professional baseball prospect, youOnly the top 60 players received a signing bonus of
might want to know what makes more sense for$600,000 or more. Only 27 were high school players,
him: continue playing at the collegiate level, or turnthe rest were college prospects.
pro right away. The price where it pays to go proWhat about the ballplayer who has finished some of
might surprise you.his college education or completed his degree?
Of the four major U.S. sports, only baseball andA college player's signing bonus should, as a minimum,
basketball draft high school and college playerscover the remaining costs of his college education,
together. However, the basketball draft lasts onlyplus the wages he might have earned by using his
two rounds and includes players from overseasdegree, but not playing baseball.
professional leagues, while baseball provides far moreThe player with a community college degree has
opportunities. The Amateur Baseball Draft lasts tenalready invested in his education; he can use his
rounds and includes only high school and collegecommunity college degree to find work, continue his
players.education at a four-year college, or turn pro. The
While baseball offers immediate professionalcommunity college graduate might need as much as
opportunities to high school graduates, a minor$100,000 to complete a four-year degree at a
leaguer ballplayer usually needs three or four years ofprivate college. His entry-level salary, after completing
seasoning to be ready for the major league roster. Ahis bachelor's degree, might range from $35,000 to
player who signs a contract in 2007 and immediately$55,000 depending on grades and course of study,
reported to a Rookie League or Class A team shouldand, this player might still need three to four years of
be on the major league roster on or before the 2010seasoning in the minor leagues.
season.This player would need a signing bonus in excess of
First year salaries for a minor league ballplayer range$180,000, but he has a chance of getting a larger
from $850 a month for the first contract season tobonus if he stays in school and performs well the
$2,150 when the player reaches Triple-A, one levelnext season.
below the major leagues. Given the low salaries, theThe scholarship player who completed his degree can
decision to skip college has to depend on the player'splay ball, or use his education to do something else.
signing bonus and the quality of the college programsLike other prospects, he may need some seasoning
that are offering scholarships. It might not pay for ain the minors--and his salary after three or four years
ballplayer to pass on a top college program if theof non-baseball employment could approach, maybe
academics are strong enough to help them with lifeexceed $50,000, almost the same as tuition and
after baseball.expenses for college. His bonus should also be in
What is a good guideline for a signing bonus for aexcess of $180,000.
high school baseball player?How many college draftees earned the
My rule of thumb is that the signing bonus shouldrecommended minimum signing bonus of $180,000?
equal or exceed the projected cost of four years ofThere were 150 prospects who received a signing
college plus the major league minimum salary. Thisbonus of $180,000, or more, with the lowest ranked
assumes the player would remain in college throughplayer selected at the top of the fifth round of the
his senior year-although it is common for baseballdraft.
players to drop out without completing their degree.What is the major tradeoff?
At worst, if the player does not make the majorThe top high school baseball prospect must consider
leagues, he should have the opportunity to savethe risk of postponing college against his chances of
enough money to pay for college while he toils in themaking a major league roster within four years. It is
minors.quite difficult for a professional baseball player to
Following this rule of thumb, a high school playerattend college in the off-season because of travel
would need to receive a minimum signing bonus ofand seasons that overlap into the fall and spring
$600,000.semesters. Top prospects are also encouraged to
The $600,000 minimum is based on:play winter ball; that also overlaps into study time.
Â- The combined costs: tuition, fees, roomHowever, the number of high school players who can
and board and essentials at a top private universitycommand the big bonuses that make it pay to go
and traditional baseball powerhouses such aspro is an elite few-and that number fluctuates from
Stanford, the University of Miami, or the University ofyear to year because it is based on the annual level
Southern California approached $45,000. It is quiteof talent in the pool of draft-eligible players.
likely that these costs will approach, if not surpass,The top college prospect must consider the
$200,000 to complete a bachelor's degree.opportunities to complete his education and increase
Â- A 2010 major league minimum salary ofhis signing bonus after each season of amateur
$400,000, as stipulated in the most recentcompetition. The college prospect will have a degree,
agreement between the Major League Baseballbut he will be off to a later start in his professional
Players Association and the owners of the all 30career, especially if he needs seasoning in the minor
Major League Baseball teams. The 2011 leagueleagues. However, the college graduate has more
minimum is not known at this time; it is tied to aoptions for life after baseball.
future cost of living increase.Unless the player becomes an established major
How many players chosen in the 2006 Amateurleague star, it would be better for him to build a
Draft earned the recommended minimum signingpost-baseball life off a college degree than return
bonus of $600,000?home to lament glory days.