MLB.com
Earlier on MMN, there were reports regarding the framework for the international draft and the justification for putting one in place. While good intentioned, there are going to be some complications in the institution of the draft.
First, as noted by MMN‘s Michael Mayer, Major League organizations already have deals in place for the 2023 signing class. Mayer also noted that teams very likely have deals in place for the 2024 signing period as well. While this is part of the problem, it also speaks to just how much of an overhaul of the process that is.
As Hall of Famer David Ortiz told Jeff Passan of ESPN, this is very problematic. Specifically, he spoke about the problems it will present to the Dominican Republic who is not only very reliant on baseball economically, and it will present a real challenge to new president Luis Abinader, who is trying to reform his country.
Tim Healey of Newsday reported in all likelihood the draft will not be implemented until the 2024 season, which would leave the 2023 signings in place. According to Ortiz, this would be too rushed of a process with the Dominican Republic likely needing 3-4 years. In all likelihood, that is a concern shared by other international baseball hotbeds like Venezuela.
The other concern is the impact it will have on baseball in the country. As noted by Shawn Hoffman of Baseball Prospectus, the incorporation of Puerto Rico in the draft led to less Major League investment in Puerto Rico. This not only had a negative impact on their economy, but we have also seen a decline in the amount of Puerto Ricans playing in the Major Leauges.
This is obviously a major concern for Ortiz and other Dominicans. On that point, he told Passan, “Baseball is one of the secret weapons of the Dominican economy.” He also said to Passan:
Baseball is such a big thing in the Dominican. Baseball keeps kids off the streets. We don’t want that to walk away from us. We want it to get better. That’s my focus. Nothing else. We have the youth. People wanting to be me, Pedro, Pujols. We can’t let that go away.
Ortiz is not the only Dominican star concerned about the draft. Fernando Tatis Jr. told ESPN Deportes he believes the international draft “going to kill what baseball is in the Caribbean.” He also pointed out what happened with Puerto Rico, and he is very concerned that is what is going to happen in the Dominican Republic and other countries.
It must be noted Ortiz is not against the international draft. Rather, he just wants things to be done properly in the right time frame. Ultimately, it is his belief is that by not rushing it, we can continue to see Dominican players have impactful Major League careers while also not hurting the countries. Time will tell to see if the concerns of Ortiz and others are heeded and just how smoothly this entire new process will be implemented.
