2023 14th Round Pick (#421): Michael Forret - RHP - (J1) State College of Florida Manatee (FL)

[bpilktree]

On 7/11/2023 at 3:21 PM, MurphDogg said:

With his age and pedigree I highly doubt he is going to sign for $150K. Could be an overslot or a draft and follow if he stays in JuCo.

He pitched 2 games on the Cape this year.

He is a local guy here in North Carolina and from reports should be a guy that signs.    He was an ECU commit that changed and decided to go Juco route last minute that way he could get drafted this year and start his professional career so I would think he is looking to sign.  

[RVAOsFan]

23 hours ago, bpilktree said:

He is a local guy here in North Carolina and from reports should be a guy that signs.    He was an ECU commit that changed and decided to go Juco route last minute that way he could get drafted this year and start his professional career so I would think he is looking to sign.  

I was going to post this nugget before I saw you posted it.  ECU fans were quite disappointed when he decided to go JUCO. 

[btdart20]

Draft rule changes with new CBA (mlb.com)

The draft-and-follow rule returns, allowing clubs that select players who opt to attend junior college to sign them between the end of their juco season and the beginning of the next year's Draft. Any bonus amount over $225,000 will count toward teams' bonus pools. A similar rule existed before being eliminated with the 2007-11 CBA.

If Forret doesn't sign in 2023, does the draft and follow rules apply to him if he goes to a non-JuCo school in the 2023-24 school year?

Seems like the $225,000 bonus amount would go against the 2023 pool.  Could he make an extra $75k if he waits a few months (assuming the rest of the O's pool in line still)?

 

[RVAOsFan]

 

[Otter]

5 hours ago, RVAOsFan said:

 

This is great news.  We don't really draft high upside HS pitchers, so this is about as close as it gets.  And we didn't break the bank for him.

[OriolesFan1964]

Agree, I was really hoping we would sign him.  Only 19yrs/4 months old at signing.  His JUCO was in Sarasota, so maybe the O's scouts got a good look at him.

[RZNJ]

Per Baseball America from the Draft Combine

 

Bullpen Induced Vertical Break

Zach Thornton, LHP, Grand Canyon — 21.6

Cameron Flukey, RHP, Egg Harbor Township (N.J.) HS — 21.6

Michael Forret, RHP, State JC of Florida — 20.3

Brayden Sharp, LHP, The Woodlands (Texas) HS — 19.4

Jaden Woods, LHP, Georgia — 18.9

[justD]

Just watched this young man pitch over at the Twin Lakes facility. They had him up twice. He was just mowing guys down, mixing pitches, several swing-and-miss. Myself and a gentleman whose kids played ball with EBJ were really enjoying watching him.

I’m boarding a plane soon but may be able to post video soon-ish of what I could capture. 

[bobmc]

Thanks for this and everything you have seen on this trip!  See you again!

[justD]

As promised, here's the video I was able to capture.  Back in the day, I'd bring a digital camera with me with good zoom and the ability to capture night games well.  Now?  It's the phone's camera, and not all that great.  Hope this is worth posting. 

 

[emmett16]

This site never ceases to amaze me.