Jim Callis on Potential Picks with Signability Issues

[Outshined_One]

From Ask BA

Basically speaking, here are the high school names who might fall due to signability concerns with their reasons in parentheses.

1B Eric Hosmer (Boras client)
RHP Gerrit Cole (Boras client)
RHP Alex Meyer (Boras client)
LHP Nick Maronde (Boras client)
LHP Brett Mooneyham (Boras client)
RHP/SS Casey Kelly (Commitment to play QB at Tennessee)
OF Xavier Avery (Commitment to play RB at UGA)
RHP Sonny Gray (Vanderbilt commitment, fractured ankle likely to drop him out of the 1st round)
LHP Dan Hultzen (Strong UVA commitment)
LHP Kyle Lobstein (Signing demands)
LHP TJ House (Signing demands)
RHP Brett Marshall (Signing demands)
RHP Austin Dicharry (Signing demands)

For more information on each prospect, read the article.

[Joseph]

Is that Casey Kelly the one we are reported to be considering?

If we do draft him does that make this Sowers part duex? IE an excuse not to spend the money since we signed a high profile foreigner in the off season in Juan Duran.

[Outshined_One]

Is that Casey Kelly the one we are reported to be considering?

Correct. My understanding of the Casey Kelly situation is as follows...

Over on Rivals, Kelly is considered a 3 star QB prospect. However, the QB situation at Tennessee is a bit dicey for Kelly, since he would be competing with BJ Coleman, Nick Stephens, and Jonathan Crompton (among others) for the QB spot. All of those guys either are more talented than he is or have seniority over him. Kelly might be good enough to establish himself over the coming seasons, but there's a chance he might never see the field.

Essentially speaking, he has a much greater chance of succeeding on the baseball diamond than on the gridiron. For this reason, a lot of people don't think his commitment to football is very strong. So, that leaves his commitment to college baseball.

Reportedly, if Kelly gets drafted in the first round, he'll be an easy sign. Moreover, if the Reds draft him, that likely means they have already worked out an agreement with him prior to the draft, as Kelly is expected to go somewhere in the last 15 picks or so. I don't think the Reds would pass on someone like Aaron Crow for Kelly if they haven't already worked out a deal with Kelly, you know?

Plus, under the new rules, if the Reds fail to sign Kelly, they get an extra draft pick next season just after the #7 pick.

[dougdirt]

Is that Casey Kelly the one we are reported to be considering?

If we do draft him does that make this Sowers part duex? IE an excuse not to spend the money since we signed a high profile foreigner in the off season in Juan Duran.

Veery doubtful. One of the reasons the Reds signed Duran was because they don't have a second round pick this year due to signing Cordero. Compared to last year (where they spent 1,826,250 on the group of Frazier, Lotzkar and Cozart) the budget is looking to be very similar with the Duran signing counted into this years draft budget.

[Oxilon]

The Reds were to draft Kelly due to him being an easy sign since he's projected much lower and his father works for the Reds only to have him commit to Tennessee instead. Oh, how would that be for irony? Bring on Crow.

[RedlegJake]

I am hoping like all heck that Kelly is a smokescreen. If they start drafting kids because their dad works in the system then hope is lost. I'm fine with that kind of 'favor' in the 5th or 6th round or later but not in the top couple of picks. If Kelly falls to 83 I'd be thrilled but that is very very doubtful. Go to Tennessee kid and we'll see you in a couple years. Besides, for Kelly's sake, a couple years of productive play on UT's baseball team would raise his stock considerably.