I am a man of faith (not proselytizing), but I cannot see another human being getting down on their knees and asking God should I A) take 3.8 million and pitch professionally or B) go back to school because I did not get to play for the team I wanted or did not get enough money...but I need to pray on it?
But hey, as long as he prayed as hard after Florida State hit piss missiles all night against him, or if he ever needs Tommy John surgery...if he prays as hard thanking God for the unfortunate events as the glorious ones more power to him. I wish him nothing but the best.
However, if I am a team drafting next year...is this the kind of guy you hand the ball on three days rest in September? Is he a pitbull on the mound? I don't know him, but if school means that much to him (which is great in 99/100 professions) then maybe he does not have "it."
If I was that mad knowing seven teams passed on me and I thought I was the best, the revenge game would be on.
But I could be wrong.
This isn't about Appel, and the slotting system does have something to do with it (the Pirates did offer 900k over the slot value, the most they could overpay without surrendering future picks). But this is also about greedy agents, or "advisors" as they are now known when they work with amateur draftees, who fill these kids heads with lofty ideas of how much money they can make and in some cases lead them to making decisions that are not in their best interest. Maybe it will work out for Appel, but if he was already projected as a likely top pick and went #9 overall because of who his "advisor" was, I don't think he can do much with one more year at Stanford to improve his slot (especially if the one game he threw this year after the draft is any indication). I hope it works out for him, but if it doesn't it will hurt him a lot more than it will hurt Boras. I must be critical about the comment regarding his Stanford degree, however. If the kid valued his college education so much, why did he declare for the draft in the first place? Either Boras pursuaded him to enter the draft against his better judgment in hopes of a payday for himself, or Appel really doesn't care about his degree.
I missed seeing the name Boras anywhere in the article-so, just because he didn't get picked #1 as they thought he would, didn't stop them from expecting to be paid as though he were. He has every right to choose, but spare me the bible quotes, Appel; I suppose God wanted you to get the big money or go back to school? Puhleeze.
CFFL if he is a man of faith why wouldn't he ask God for help with the decision? It's not about lack of money or liking a team it's a HUGE life decision leaving school early to play pro. I bet most people of faith pray before making any life changing decisions. Seriously read your sentence again. "If school means that much to him..." Most people complain when a kid leaves early for school! Plus it's Stanford a top 5 school in the country! Kid has life by the balls no matter happens. Besides seems like a good chance kid moves up in the draft unless he is injured. Sure it's a risk but I'm sure he now has an insurance policy too.
Did you question if Andrew Luck had "it" when he returned to school after being guaranteed the #1 pick in the NFL? I questioned it from a business perspective but not whether he had the "desire" or "heart" to be a success. Clearly no one else did either.
If you want to blame someone the other poster was right on when he said to blame that clown Selig. The slotting system prevents some kids from getting market value. It also does the opposite of his intentions and HURTS small market teams.
Agree that the non mention of Boras' impact in this article is the 800 pound gorilla in the room that the author of the article has somehow chosen to try to ignore.
How are the "mouth breathers" quick to comment? The kid turned down money overslot, and is going back to school despite the reputation of Stanford ruining pitchers' arms, and with a stronger draft class coming out. Don't get me wrong, I'm not upset at all that the kid didn't sign. He's a prospect, though admittedly a very talented one. But the kid is turning down more money that 99% of the people in the world will make in their entire lifetimes, all because he has the ego the size of Texas. I wish the best for the kid, but he is risking another year of stress on his arm without the benefit of a paycheck, all in the hopes of being drafted higher in a better draft-class and without any leverage whatsoever.
Living under the the seal of "in Boras we trust" is a risk I wouldn't take.
There is so much wrong with your post I don't know where to start. His ego? You know him? And next year is a better draft class? That's such a laughable comment. How do you know this? Are you a scout? Byron Buxton wasn't even on the radar at this point last year, and a whole season needs to be played. If the draft class is considered deeper in, say, March of next year you might have a point. But at this point it's useless speculation from an internet commenter.
And how many times has living under the seal of "in Bras we trust" worked out poorly for the player? Boras bats a higher percentage than anyone else at getting his clients the most money they possibly can.
This just in... the internet is full of douche bags that hide(sometimes) behind aliases and a wire. If what they do on twitter is punishable by law then let the law deal with it. I'm afraid this is what every other article will soon be....
life is full of decisions, good, bad, right, wrong, with God's help, or without...the bottom line is appel is making a decision based on principles, his, not ours...if people's feelings are hurt, so be it, its his decision...and if he hurts his arm, that's the risk he takes...good for him to stand by his principles no matter what the rest of us think...and I dig the Bible quotes, not sure why that chaps anyones hide...
I would think that he or his family or even Darth Boras would have evaluated the Pittsburgh venue as not very appealing (and its history of losing). I like Pittsburgh, but if its a career move in an entertainment industry such as baseball, it probably makes sense to go elsewhere -- somewhere that the media does not ignore as they do the Pitts.-- especially for more money. The kid has choices because he has talent and probably works hard. Why get all over him, he's just trying to max his life chances. Good for him.
As a long suffering Pirates' fan, but MORE SO a fan of the game .....
NO BIG DEAL. There is no one who is a 'sure thing.'
PGH GM, Neal Huntington, stated that the team knew it was a calculated risk drafting Appel vs. signability. His statement further went on to read that the team was resting its' hopes on convincing Appel to be a 'part of something big.'
That may not have been a wise choice based on the Scott Boras presence in this process.
Bottom line? The kid made a decision and if he doesn't want to be a part of the team that I root for, then "Good luck to ya, son! We'll be ok without ya."
I do not blame Appel for doing what he did. But once again baseball has screwed the small-market teams. This new draft pay schedule (along with the presence of Boras, the antichrist) will steer the better players toward the high-paying teams. I will start going to games again the day after Boras breathes his last breath.
I suppose there is a need to ridicule the fans -- on these forums -- who frequently demonstrate less than a civil attitude. Everybody is a douchebag these days. Still, I think delivering that sermon on Mark Appel's back is a bit of a stretch.
"nothing stopped the pirates from budgeting for a deep overslot offer for Appel" Don't they lose their #1 pick next year if they make an overslot offer?
"Were you "drafted" and assigned to an employer not of your choosing in a place not of your choosing and then presented the choice to accept an aritificially depressed offer or, failing that, not work in your chosen field altogether? No? Then you can't relate to Appel's dilemma." Really, so by that standard no one can ever comment about anyone else, ever. Where did they find this piece of garbage writer?
The kid can do whatever he wishes, and i wish him well in anything hr does BUT he is making a big mistake passing up a 3.8 mill bonus, CRAZY. Boras is the idiot. bad advice.
@bigleague. No, they don't lose their #1 pick if they sign him to an over slot. They're allotted x amount of dollars to sign their first 10 picks. If they go over that amount, they get fined... if they go a certain level over that, then they lose their pick.
