MLB Draft: A Snorefest Unlike Any Other
I knew better than to watch the MLB draft last night, but I watched it anyway, more curious than anything else. After waiting for the 13th pick (in which the White Sox selected left-hander Chris Sale) I promptly fell asleep. I blaime the draft.
Trying to make the MLB draft a made for TV event is a waste of time for so many reasons. Here are a few:
Trying to make the MLB draft a made for TV event is a waste of time for so many reasons. Here are a few:
- Who the hell are these guys?: When it comes to the NFL or the NBA, we've seen most of the players on TV at one time or another, especially those with the higher profile programs and conferences. But with baseball, there is very little coverage and many of the players are out of high school where there is no coverage at all. You can talk about Chris Sale all you want, but I have no clue who the heck he is.
- See You In 2012: Major Harris will have an impact on the 2010 Chicago Bears. So will other high profile NFL picks on their teams. There are no minor leagues in football and if you are a first, second or third round pick, chances are you'll at least get an opportunity to play or at least compete for a job in the upcoming training camp. In baseball, we may not see some of these kids for two to three years. Sure, the top three to five packs might come sooner, but they are all on teams that absolutely need them. So, why should you get jazzed about a player who you won't see for awhile?
- Where's Mel?: Baseball has no draft guru. Even if they did, how do you keep tabs on over 1,500 potential draftees? Mel Kiper only has to worry about half that number. And most of them are available on TV. Hats off to Peter Gammons, he seemed to really know what he was talking about (like that's a news flash.)
- Pass Me Another Round: Unlike football (seven rounds) or basketball (two rounds), baseball has over fifty rounds of draft picks. That's why they only televise the first round and the sandwich picks. The rest is done by conference call. Can you imagine if all 50+ rounds were televised?
- Late Round Factor: Unlike football or basketball, late round picks often make the majors and perform at a level better than the first round picks. Joe Borchard was a bust at number one for the White Sox, but (and we all know this) Mike Piazza went on to be a multiple all-star after being drafted in the 62nd round. In baseball, you just never know.
- Bud Ain't No Roger Goodell: Hearing Bud Selig say "so and so is now on the clock" is almost laughable. I honestly believe Bud was fantasizing he was the NFL commish last night.
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