2021 2nd round pick (41): Connor Norby - 2B - (Junior) East Carolina University

[Frobby]

$113 k under slot.  

[Can_of_corn]

He wasn't projected to be underslot right?

[forphase1]

No,  some had him higher than we picked him.   Just good negotiating on our part I'd say.  I know some will rant and rave if we don't spend every dime of our allotment, but if you can draft a guy where he should be drafted or so,  but get him to sign for a bit less money in the end,  why not?

[Three Run Homer]

9 minutes ago, forphase1 said:

No,  some had him higher than we picked him.   Just good negotiating on our part I'd say.  I know some will rant and rave if we don't spend every dime of our allotment, but if you can draft a guy where he should be drafted or so,  but get him to sign for a bit less money in the end,  why not?

I have no problem if they draft a good player and sign him for underslot.   Given how quick this signing was, it is almost certain that this was a pre-draft deal.  

I have a huge problem if they made pre-draft deals to save money on some of their earlier picks, and then wound up using those savings to line the Angelos' family's pockets instead of using it to draft high ceiling overslot talent later in the draft. 

We'll see, but given who the O's picked in later rounds it seems highly likely that the Orioles will spend well under their draft allotment.  Getting less talent through the draft than you are entitled to, just to save money, is what crappy organizations do.  

[forphase1]

5 minutes ago, Three Run Homer said:

I have no problem if they draft a good player and sign him for underslot.   Given how quick this signing was, it is almost certain that this was a pre-draft deal.  

I have a huge problem if they made pre-draft deals to save money on some of their earlier picks, and then wound up using those savings to line the Angelos' family's pockets instead of using it to draft high ceiling overslot talent later in the draft. 

We'll see, but given who the O's picked in later rounds it seems highly likely that the Orioles will spend well under their draft allotment.  Getting less talent through the draft than you are entitled to, just to save money, is what crappy organizations do.  

I don't disagree,  and overall the draft is exactly where we do need to be spending.  In this case we got someone at 41 that some,  like Law, had in their top 30.  Perhaps they did negotiate before he was drafted and agreed to slightly underslot deal.  And I'm completely fine with that as long as they did not pass on a higher player on their board in order to do so.   Would love to be a fly on the wall at one of these drafts to see just how it all goes down. 

[Three Run Homer]

1 hour ago, forphase1 said:

I don't disagree,  and overall the draft is exactly where we do need to be spending.  In this case we got someone at 41 that some,  like Law, had in their top 30.  Perhaps they did negotiate before he was drafted and agreed to slightly underslot deal.  And I'm completely fine with that as long as they did not pass on a higher player on their board in order to do so.   Would love to be a fly on the wall at one of these drafts to see just how it all goes down. 

Has to be a pre-draft deal--otherwise why would the player agree so quickly to take less than slot?  

[Paul in Virginia]

8 hours ago, Three Run Homer said:

Has to be a pre-draft deal--otherwise why would the player agree so quickly to take less than slot?  

 

Why would a guy do a pre-draft deal with a team picking well below where he's "supposed" to be picked?  Do these guys make multiple pre-draft deals with teams, perhaps, to cover several potential scenarios?  

[Frobby]

5 minutes ago, Paul in Virginia said:

 

Why would a guy do a pre-draft deal with a team picking well below where he's "supposed" to be picked?  Do these guys make multiple pre-draft deals with teams, perhaps, to cover several potential scenarios?  

My impression is that negotiations go on during the draft.  This might be a case where Norby got nervous that he was slipping so far, and that if he slipped much further he’d be getting a good bit less than $1.7 mm.   The O’s picked 41st; the 44th slot was less than $1.7 mm.   At that stage of the draft each spot you drop is costing $40,000 in slot value.  

[Paul in Virginia]

7 minutes ago, Frobby said:

My impression is that negotiations go on during the draft.  This might be a case where Norby got nervous that he was slipping so far, and that if he slipped much further he’d be getting a good bit less than $1.7 mm.   The O’s picked 41st; the 44th slot was less than $1.7 mm.   At that stage of the draft each spot you drop is costing $40,000 in slot value.  

 

Thanks!  I was hoping my question wasn't a silly one.  The proposition that it was possibly a deal during the draft makes far more sense to me.

[Just Regular]

11 hours ago, Three Run Homer said:

Has to be a pre-draft deal--otherwise why would the player agree so quickly to take less than slot?  

The time value of pro at-bats today?   

It is nice to see two Bat first profiles inked, and will be even more encouraging if A-ball reps begin immediately.

Obviously Bregman was a special collegian, but I think Cowser and Norby's strengths are in the same area.

[7Mo]

Good video on Norby.

 

[Just Regular]

I noticed he gave Whit Merrifield as a player he models himself after in the Sun story on the signees.

Totally makes sense too - looks like both Carolina guys, their NC hometowns about half an hour apart, easy to imagine travel ball Norby having Merrifield as the local hero climbing the minors and making All-Star games.   

NCAA Norby - 24 SB in 105 games

NCAA Whit - 38 SB in 195 games

Here's hoping we get Two Hit Connor, and I'm curious to see how much he'll run.