College Or Pros What Pays For Young Baseball Players
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College or Pros: What Pays for Young Baseball Players?
Summary
If your son is a budding professional baseball prospect, you're likely weighing the decision of whether he should continue his education and play college baseball or jump straight into the professional leagues. The factors influencing this choice can be surprising.
The Landscape
Among the major U.S. sports, only baseball and basketball draft players from both high school and college simultaneously. Unlike basketball’s brief two-round draft, the baseball draft extends across ten rounds, exclusively featuring high school and college athletes. This means baseball offers more immediate opportunities, but with certain nuances.
Early Professional Opportunities
For high school graduates, baseball can offer an immediate path to the pros, though it typically requires three to four years of development in the minor leagues before making it to a major league roster. For example, a player signing a contract in 2007, starting in a Rookie League, might not reach the majors until around 2010.
Financial Considerations
First-year minor league players earn modest salaries, ranging from $850 to $2,150 a month, depending on their level. Therefore, the decision to forgo college largely depends on the signing bonus and the quality of college programs offering scholarships. A strong academic program can provide a good safety net for life after baseball.
Evaluating the Signing Bonus
A useful guideline is that the signing bonus should at least cover four years of college tuition plus the major league minimum salary. This assumes a player might leave college after a few years to pursue baseball. Ideally, if a player doesn’t make it to the majors, they should at least save enough for college while playing in the minors. Thus, a high school player might need a minimum signing bonus of $600,000.
Breakdown of Costs
- College Costs: Tuition, fees, room, and board at top universities can approach $200,000 over four years.
- Major League Minimum Salary: As of 2010, this was $400,000, with future increases tied to living costs.
Draft Realities
In the 2006 Amateur Draft, only the top 60 players received a signing bonus of $600,000 or more, with just 27 being high school players.
For College Players
For those who have completed some college education, the signing bonus should cover remaining educational costs and potential earnings from a degree-related career. A community college graduate, for instance, might require $100,000 to finish a four-year degree and expect entry-level salaries between $35,000 and $55,000. Thus, a signing bonus should exceed $180,000.
College vs. Professional Tradeoffs
A top high school prospect needs to weigh the risk of bypassing college against the chance of reaching the major leagues within four years. College attendance during off-seasons is challenging due to overlapping schedules and the encouragement to play winter ball.
For college prospects, completing their education may enhance their signing bonus potential and offer more post-baseball career options. They start their baseball careers later but have a robust educational background to fall back on.
Conclusion
For most players, building a life beyond baseball with a college degree is more beneficial unless they become established major league stars. Balancing athletic aspirations with educational pursuits offers a strategic advantage, ensuring stability after their playing days are over.
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