2nd Round - Jason Esposito - 3B - Vanderbilt University

[Frobby]

I read that as, Esposito may finally coming to the realization that he's not going to get the money he gave up out of high school and the chances of him doing it next year as a senior sign are pretty remote. I hope the guy comes to his senses because I'd like to see him in the system, but if not, this will be on the player, not the Orioles.

Agreed. Joe Jordan has proven to be pretty good at these kinds of standoffs, e.g. Givens. Of course, if Esposito signs, I'm hoping he'll actually perform well, unlike Givens who washed out at Delmarva and is putting up mediocre numbers at Aberdeen at age 21.

[rickyrozay]

while Esposito might very likely not get even close to 1.5M he was offered in HS, his education at Vanderbilt(excellent school) is easily worth a few hundred K (and more over a lifetime), so while it might suck for him, it actually not a bad deal for him to sign for lower in 2011, if that's what they have in mind... Plus even MLB draftees bonuses get taxed alot and id bet a lot of HS draftees who go straight PRO spend most if not all of it at age 18 on stupid things..


Anyway it sounds like Joe Jordan is holding on slot or a tad above slot and perhaps if Esposito (and his agent...is Boras still his agent now that he's not in it for lots of $$$?) doesnt lower his expectation Joe Jordan might drop the offer completely and Esposito might go back to Vanderbilt for a senior year and try it out again (might not be of much help)

It sounds like a lot of people don't like it when a MLB team draft a college kid who appears to be very solid with a lot of potential upside but not a sure superstar talent. The truth is none of these draftees are a lock to contribute much to Orioles at the majors level at all except for maybe Bundy. I think Esposito was a very good pick but it's too bad Joe Jordan and Esposito apparently have what sounds like a pretty big difference in opinion at this point...Orioles farm system very much need some defenders


a draftee is gonna need $ while in the minor leagues because the minors pay like crap

[Stotle]

Honestly, looking at the college crop I've seen on the circuit this summer, Esposito might not have much trouble going in the 1st Round next year.

[rickyrozay]

Honestly, looking at the college crop I've seen on the circuit this summer, Esposito might not have much trouble going in the 1st Round next year.

If that's true, that'd be a great option for him. But there's a lot of uncertainty and a lot of pressure for him to perform very well senior year at Vanderbilt. If he impresses like he did sophomore yr then maybe he's got a shot, but as others have said he loses leverage

[Can_of_corn]

Honestly, looking at the college crop I've seen on the circuit this summer, Esposito might not have much trouble going in the 1st Round next year.

As a fourth year senior and hard slotting likely in place how high in the first round would he have to go to make the 1.5 million he declined out of HS?

[Stotle]

As a fourth year senior and hard slotting likely in place how high in the first round would he have to go to make the 1.5 million he declined out of HS?

Mid-1st. Could still get seven figures in the back half of the round.

Thus far, the bar for "best college bat" is set pretty darn low.

[Stotle]

If that's true, that'd be a great option for him. But there's a lot of uncertainty and a lot of pressure for him to perform very well senior year at Vanderbilt. If he impresses like he did sophomore yr then maybe he's got a shot, but as others have said he loses leverage

He'd have no leverage. The same, with a solid season he could be appealing to a club that favors college position players early on. This year Cory Spangenberg received about $1.8 million as a late-1st/supp-1st talent that got nabbed early by a team with an unprotected pick (Padres).

[rickyrozay]

what is the 2011 slot amount for someone drafted 64th (where he was drafted in the 2nd round)? Is it like 500-700K im guessing? I know someone stated earlier that historically only 34% of players drafted 64th play in the Majors

[JTrea81]

Mid-1st. Could still get seven figures in the back half of the round.

Thus far, the bar for "best college bat" is set pretty darn low.

Figures when we finally look to get a pick up in the top 3 that we get the worst crop of college bats...

So it sounds like no major difference maker bat in the 2012 draft either.

That will likely make 5 drafts straight since Wieters in 2007 where the O's haven't taken a polished college bat in the first round.

[DrOrioles90210]

I know someone stated earlier that historically only 34% of players drafted 64th play in the Majors

Maybe we shouldn't sign any of our draftees then since there's a good chance they won't play in the majors.

[Stotle]

what is the 2011 slot amount for someone drafted 64th (where he was drafted in the 2nd round)? Is it like 500-700K im guessing? I know someone stated earlier that historically only 34% of players drafted 64th play in the Majors

Slot should be around $575K for Espo.

[Stotle]

Figures when we finally look to get a pick up in the top 3 that we get the worst crop of college bats...

So it sounds like no major difference maker bat in the 2012 draft either.

That will likely make 5 drafts straight since Wieters in 2007 where the O's haven't taken a polished college bat in the first round.

Some good HS bats. Still time plenty of time for college bats to emerge.

[rickyrozay]

do you think he gets 700K maybe?????? he might have been thinking 1M at first

[rickyrozay]

I think you are right, and he will be a Oriole by Saturday.

is he going to sign soon? i think they are making some progress

[weams]

is he going to sign soon? i think they are making some progress

Hey, I thought it would be last weekend. Have no idea.