Looks like he's gone...Goff has made a mess out of this roster. Thompson, obviously is gone. Not sure how much had been promised to him but you'd have to think it was a lot. Heatherly, a bit surprisingly, is still on the board. I doubt he lasts long today and I still expect him to sign, but if he was expecting to be a first rounder and now he's 3rd round at best, he's going to be getting at least $1.5 M less than he expected. At least gives him something to think about.
“It definitely wasn’t where I expected to go, but I’m really grateful for the opportunity,” Heatherly told the Decatur Daily/TimesDaily over the phone. “I put it in God’s hands and I knew he was going to take care of it. I’m just really excited for the future.”
But might that future also include Alabama?
While nothing is set in stone until he and his agent negotiate with the Reds, Heatherly is leaning toward forgoing his college eligibility and turning pro.
“I think I’m going to be a Cincinnati Red, but … we’re going to have to wait and see,” Heatherly said, “because it could be a few days before all the stuff works out.”
Of course. Not saying I blame him cause that's still a good amount of money, but damn I'd love to be on the receiving end of a "top draft pick forgoes signing and goes to school" type headline...
The 2017 MLB draft was held on Monday-Wednesday this week. As expected, two high profile recruits that were signed by Alabama, Bubba Thompson and Jacob Heatherly, were taken early and will forego college to sign professional contracts.
Thompson, an outfielder out of McGill-Toolen High School in Mobile, was the 26th pick of the first round, chosen by the Texas Rangers. The slot money for that postion is listed at 2.45 million dollars. Thompson announced on Twitter that he would sign.
Heatherly, a left handed pitcher out of Cullman, was a third round pick, 77th overall. The 77th pick is slated to be paid $743,000. Heatherly looks poised to sign as well.
Good post Wylie and I think your thoughts are good. With the scholarship limitations you have to be creative in the way you give and take the money.I don't envy the numbers issue CBB is inheriting. Goff offered 8-9 scholarships to the gaggle who signed LOI's. The 5 seniors had 1.5 between them. Our 2 signees reportedly had 1.5 between them. That leaves CBB 5-6 short to fit all the signees.
A best case scenario is Taylor and Suchey sign freeing up one. Lumpkin has left the team and was on big money, not sure why as he isn't D1 material.
That still leaves us at least 3-3.5 short. If Taylor and Suchey come back, 4-4.5. At that point we have 2 options. Yank a kids offer which I believe is binding to both parties. Not to mention it could hurt us on the recruiting trail..... Or, convince some kids to leave. We'd have to be careful there not to raise the eyebrow of the NCAA.
The best bet would be for CBB to have the kids who were freshman this year on big $$ that don't need to be, sit down with the parents and tell them "your kid has his scholarship but is being removed from the team." Then tell them "I will do all I can to get them $$ at a new school, short of that, they are welcome to stay but will not be part of the team going forward."
Chances are enough will leave b/c they want to play. Byrne told them in the team meeting that would likely happen so, I'd bet some who didn't play are already looking.
Yeah, I just hope it does not get ugly. Telling kids they do not have room at this late date is horrible and could really ruin recruiting relationships with the HS coaches. (Also I'm pretty positive the LOI's are binding so we HAVE to produce the money.)Good post Wylie and I think your thoughts are good. With the scholarship limitations you have to be creative in the way you give and take the money.
Short term it could hurt as coaches may warn their kids about coming to BAMA until CBB gets the roster issues under control. Long term, probably not a huge deal as long as CBB reaches out and is a good relationship builder.I doubt it word hurt recruiting down the road. A couple guys might get screwed (thanks to Coach Goof), but hopefully high school coaches will understand the situation and not hold it against us.
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