What is Undrafted MLB?
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization in North America that is made up of 30 teams. The MLB Draft is an annual event that takes place in June with teams selecting players from the amateur level (high school and college) to join their organization. However, not all players are selected in the MLB Draft and are considered “undrafted” or “free agents” in the professional baseball world.
Why Do Players Go Undrafted?
There are a variety of reasons why a player may go undrafted. The most common are:
- Age: Some players may be considered too old for the draft and may not fit into the team’s long-term plans.
- Injury History: If a player has had an injury that has caused them to miss time playing, teams may be hesitant to invest in them.
- Lack of Exposure: Some players may not have had the opportunity to showcase their skills to scouts due to playing in a smaller market or at a smaller school.
- Projectability: Players may not have a well-defined position at the professional level, or may not have the skills to develop into a position that a team needs.
How Much Do Undrafted MLB Players Make?
Undrafted MLB players do not receive the same kind of financial compensation as drafted players. The amount of money an undrafted player makes is relatively small compared to their drafted counterparts.
Minimum Salary
The minimum salary for an undrafted MLB player is $46,000. This is significantly lower than the minimum salary for a drafted player, which is $555,000.
Signing Bonus
Undrafted players may receive a signing bonus, but the amount is usually much lower than that of a drafted player. An undrafted player may receive a signing bonus of anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000.
Performance Bonuses
Undrafted players may receive performance bonuses for reaching certain milestones. These bonuses can range from $500 to $50,000 depending on the team and player’s performance.
Non-Monetary Benefits
Undrafted players may receive additional benefits such as housing, meals, and travel expenses that are not available to drafted players. This can be beneficial for players who are looking to establish themselves in the professional baseball world.
Path To The Majors
Undrafted players face a tougher road to the major leagues than their drafted counterparts. Undrafted players must work harder to prove themselves and make their way onto a major league roster.
Minor League System
Undrafted players must go through the minor league system in order to make it to the majors. Players must work their way up through the minor league system in order to have a chance to make it to the major leagues.
Development
Undrafted players must continue to develop and hone their skills in order to be noticed by major league teams. The more a player develops, the more likely they are to be noticed and given an opportunity at the major league level.
Attitude
Undrafted players must have a good attitude and work ethic in order to be successful. A positive attitude and strong work ethic will demonstrate to teams that the player is committed to making it to the major leagues.
Opportunities For Undrafted Players
Undrafted players still have the opportunity to make it to the major leagues, but it may take some additional work and dedication to make it happen.
Scouting
Undrafted players must take advantage of the scouting opportunities that are available to them. Player showcases and other scouting events are a great way for undrafted players to get noticed by professional scouts.
Networking
Undrafted players must take advantage of networking opportunities to make connections and show their skills. Networking can be an invaluable tool for players to get noticed and make it to the major leagues.
Patience
Undrafted players must have patience as they work their way through the minor leagues. It may take some time for a player to make it to the major leagues, but with the right attitude and work ethic, anything is possible.
Conclusion
Undrafted MLB players face a tougher road to the major leagues than drafted players. They must work hard to prove themselves and make their way onto a major league roster. Undrafted players make significantly less money than drafted players and must take advantage of scouting and networking opportunities to make it to the major leagues. With the right attitude and work ethic, undrafted players can still achieve their dreams of playing in the major leagues.