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Super agent Scott Boras will again play a role in the 2005 draft. His
ability to acquire leverage for bargaining is unparalleled. The 2004
draft still feels the Boras effect as Stephen Drew and Jered Weaver both
remain unsigned.
Some teams have fallen under the spell of Boras at times (such as
Rangers owner Tom Hicks). Others are scared to death of him and will
avoid his clients at all cost. Because, after all, cost becomes the
issue when dealing with Boras.
Of course, Boras isn't officially the agent for any of these amateur
players, but that's basically just a matter of semantics. Player
representatives are technically permitted to only act as a advisee to an
amateur player. Not until the player signs a professional contract would
a representative, such as Boras, become the players' agent. All Boras
and others can do is "give advice". And it's expected that the player
will take the "advice" offered by his advisor.
Entering the 2005 draft, Boras currently advises eight amateur players.
If Drew and Weaver become eligible for the draft, the number will rise
to ten. Only one of them is still in high school. If Weaver is included,
seven of them are pitchers.
It's possible that some of these players may slip in the draft. Teams
may be unwilling to wrestle with a reported bonus demand of a Boras
client. Weaver and Drew would have likely both been top five selections
in last year's draft, and perhaps even the top two picks, but they slid
to 12th and 15th overall, respectively, because of what teams viewed as
unreasonable contract demands.
The same may happen for any of the 2005 draft class as well. Boras
represents arguably the best two pitching prospects, Tennessee's Luke
Hochevar and Mike Pelfrey of Wichita State. Both are expected to go
early.
St. John's closer Craig Hansen is expected to be the first of this draft
class to reach the major leagues, following the similar path of Ryan
Wagner of the Reds and the Nationals' Chad Cordero, who were first round
selections in the 2003 draft and make their big league debut before the
summer passed. The A's drafted Huston Street last year and we made their
Opening Day roster this year. Word has it that Hansen is one of four
final candidates for the Diamondbacks' first overall selection, a short
list which includes Hochevar, Pelfrey, and high school shortstop Justin
Upton.
Mark McCormick and Jason Neighborgall both have spectacularly flashy
arms. But both, Neighborgall in particular, have struggled to harness
their power arms. McCormick is still considered first-round talent.
Neighborgall should be a few rounds later.
Texas catcher Taylor Teagarden is a fabulous receiver and already
handles a pitching staff as big leaguer would. His bat is his big
question mark, though he should still be a first round selection.
Tyler Greene, Georgia Tech shortstop, has been unimpressive to scouts
lately. If inconsistent hitting has led to a potential slide to the
second round. Being a Boras guy, his stock may slip even further.
High school lefthander Mark Pawelek has a first round arm. But even
Boras himself encourages his high school players to be willing to go to
college. Boras' approach is that college selections warrant larger
bonuses than high school talent does.
We'll see come draft time if any of these players slip because of their
association with Boras. Regardless of who goes where and when, it is
certain that Boras' presence will loom large over this draft.
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