The MLB draft is a bit bizarre.
In 2018 more than 1,200 players were selected over 40 rounds with 43 players taken in the first round. Of those 43, four players didn’t sign with the team that drafted them and will play college baseball until they are eligible for the draft again. It’s a great departure from the NFL and NBA drafts that the common sports fan is more familiar with.
All that said, Michigan State *football* fans have something to watch for during the MLB Draft, which starts today. Yes, football fans. I told you, it’s a bit bizarre.
Here’s the skinny. MSU football signee Jase Bowen is a top baseball prospect coming out of high school. He is expected to get drafted at some point during the three-day draft. If and when he does, he will then have to decide if he wants to sign with the MLB organization that drafted him or does he want to continue on to East Lansing where he will be a receiver on the football team and shortstop for the baseball team. That all will depend on where he gets drafted and what the team that drafted him has to offer in terms of money and position in the minors. If he gets drafted high and offered big money, it might be hard for him to say no to starting his professional career. It’s all a bit of a mystery right now.
For what it’s worth, Bowen is not listed among the top 200 draft prospects on the MLB.com website. But again, the MLB draft is a bit bizarre. We’ll have to wait and see how things shake out to know if Bowen will indeed be suiting up for the green and white next season.
