Madfriars is reporting that besides Abrams ($550 under slot) the Padres have already inked Mears, Driscoll, and Brash (amounts not yet reported).

Encouraging the speed in which the singings occurred ... especially with the 2 HS picks.

With Abrams under slot .... and picks rounds 5 - 10 all college JR/SR likely to generate more under slot money their could be a nice pool for some nice signings after round 10 picks. Guessing the two college signs so far (Driscoll and Brash) are not over slot then the"unknown" is what it took to sign Mears but doubt over slot with him too. Even if he is on slot ... Padres could end up with a $1MM to be used for Head and those late picks ... that is a pretty good pool.

Head is the wild card in the Top 10 picks.

Should be interesting to follow over then next few weeks on those post round 10 negotiations.

Why would a kid like Abrams sign for below slot?

It seemed like he was clearly part of the Top 6 ... so he was not a reach at all ...

Quote from Commie on June 8, 2019, 6:24 pm

CJ Abrams in for $500k under slot. How much do they need to reserve to sign Mo Hampton? Daddy says $2.75.  I'm guessing their number is $1-1.25. If so, there is a chance.

I'm assuming the Pads will get the remainder of their top 10 except Hudson Head signed very quickly.

Do you then go to Hampton, offer him the entire remaining bonus pool (but $0 of what's slotted for Head), and say "you've got 5 days to decide".  Risks losing Head plus of course, some of the other 10th round + guys if he is unwilling to sign at his slot.

Quote from LynchMob on June 9, 2019, 8:49 am

Why would a kid like Abrams sign for below slot?

It seemed like he was clearly part of the Top 6 ... so he was not a reach at all ...

Good question.  I think in the 1st round, especially high, the High Schoolers actually lose leverage, because there's simply no way they're going to pass up 5 MM+ to go to college; can't really get higher in the draft.  (Karsten Whitson may be the cautionary tale).

Quote from Brian Connelly on June 9, 2019, 11:14 am

Quote from LynchMob on June 9, 2019, 8:49 am

Why would a kid like Abrams sign for below slot?

It seemed like he was clearly part of the Top 6 ... so he was not a reach at all ...

Good question.  I think in the 1st round, especially high, the High Schoolers actually lose leverage, because there's simply no way they're going to pass up 5 MM+ to go to college; can't really get higher in the draft.  (Karsten Whitson may be the cautionary tale).

 

Yep.....what are his options?

Go to College for 3 years and hope to move up 2-3 spots?

Risk of injury/Under performance  outweighs that chance.

Quote from LynchMob on June 9, 2019, 8:49 am

Why would a kid like Abrams sign for below slot?

It seemed like he was clearly part of the Top 6 ... so he was not a reach at all ...

I would guess that all the negotiation was done before he was selected. The kid may not have wanted to go to college and really wanted to start his professional career.

Padres likely presented him with the proposal IF he fell to #6 but left the door open to pass on him if he was going to be a hard sign / demand slot or over slot ... dropping him to a later pick and a lower slot value. Kid had a risk of not getting drafted higher if he went to college but also had the risk of sliding in this draft cutting into his bonus potential as the slot value drop.

If the Padres had a game plan for the latter picks ... "controlling" the bonus level at #6 was just part of the plan.

Saw a "tease" from Jeff Sanders (SDUT) that there is "a chance" the Padres could ink Maurice Hampton as his asking price drops and the Padres accumulate more unused pool monies. I would think they need all the bonus pool picks signed before the make their "last and best" offer to Hampton ... then try to get a quick decision giving them time to go after others if Hampton rejects the offer.

Hampton was ranked by most as a late 20s - early 30s pick .... that would have a slot value in the $2.7MM range which is probably why his family was suggesting that is what it would take sign him. Saw a guess that if he got that he had an 85% chance of signing vs. attending LSU. Yet, no team opted to take him in that range and pay him slot. Maybe none believed the 85% chance of signing estimate based on their 1 on 1 meetings. Maybe none really thought he was worth a pick that high since he does have a lot to work on offensively / defensively .... but an elite raw talent.

IF the Padres can amass a bit over $1MM to drop on Hampton (roughly 3rd round value) and signed him ... probably a very good move on a player with high upside.

Hampton has the tough call. IF baseball was the only issue, has to gamble on idea that in 3 years he can at least retain his 30ish rank and pull in that $2.7MM. However, hard to factor in his football future (and how much he likes or prefers football). Excel at football (see AJ Brown) and could do better in the NFL draft / future. Then, factor in his desire (or lack thereof) of going to college.

If they can't reach agreement ... the second issue for Hampton will be if he is willing to NOT play baseball and focus on football (again see AJ Brown) and sign a token deal with the Padres ($10K) ... he gets some money and Padres get some control IF he decides to quit LSU or just fails as a football player. I can see that from the Padres standpoint ... not sure that token amount is worth losing some options for Hampton (LSU booster would makes sure he will be financially fine).

The Head signing may be the tipping point ... no idea if he is an under - on - over slot signing.

10th-rder Ethan Elliott signs with @Padres for $5k (slot 293 value = $146,800). Lincoln Memorial senior sign, talented too, holds school career records with 37 W, 3.01 ERA, 402 K. Spots his 85-89 mph fastball very well, changeup plays off it. 134/14 K/BB this year. @MLBDraft

— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) June 10, 2019

2nd-rder Josh Mears signs w/@Padres for $1 mil. Slot 48 value = $1,543,600. Washington HS OF, packs a ton of raw power in his 6-ft-3, 230-lb frame. Runs well for size, has an avg arm, draws some Nelson Cruz comps. Purdue recruit. @MLBDraft

— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) June 10, 2019