The 2017 MLB draft is June 12. Baseball America released its top 500 draft prospects. Names from the CAA to watch:

146 Nick Raquet LHP WM (approximately early 5th round)
286 Cullen Large 2B WM (approximately early 10th round)
301 Bailey Ober RHP Charleston
370 Josh Roberson RHP Wilmington

http://www.baseballamerica.com/draft-preview/

Slot value for the 146th pick is a $343,100 signing bonus.
Slot value for the 286th pick is a $137,100 signing bonus.

Large is a junior with a year left of eligibility thus he has some negotiating leverage. Raquet is a draft-eligible sophomore and thus has two years of eligibility left and has even more leverage. Seniors, with no eligibility left, have no leverage and thus are typically drafted by teams looking to save slot money to spend instead on high-risk, high-reward prep players. MLB's arcane draft rules highly incentivize signing your draft picks taken in the first ten rounds.

(06-06-2017 08:52 AM)WillaMary08 Wrote:  Slot value for the 146th pick is a $343,100 signing bonus.
Slot value for the 286th pick is a $137,100 signing bonus.

Large is a junior with a year left of eligibility thus he has some negotiating leverage. Raquet is a draft-eligible sophomore and thus has two years of eligibility left and has even more leverage. Seniors, with no eligibility left, have no leverage and thus are typically drafted by teams looking to save slot money to spend instead on high-risk, high-reward prep players. MLB's arcane draft rules highly incentivize signing your draft picks taken in the first ten rounds.

Thanks. Good info.

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According to Minor League Ball, Large is the 7th best secondbaseman available in the draft:

https://www.google.com/amp/www.minorleag...le-freeman

The same site lists Raquet as the 24th best left handed pitcher available but the article did not include any write-ups.

Minor League Ball also listed Ryder Miconi as a senior that should get some consideration given the strength of his final season.

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2017/6/10...ben-fisher

In what Baseball America is calling a banner year for draft prospects in Virginia, Nick Raquet is considered the 6th best prospect in the state, Cullen Large is eighth, Nick Brown is 29th, and Aaron Fernandez is 31st.

Cullen Large can come back to W&M next year as a senior...depends on his draft. If he goes in top ten rounds he's probably goiung to go. Later than that he may return for his senior year to boost his draft level in 2018.

Would be great for our team if he returns...very good swing; needs to cut down on his strikeouts some.
An All-American candidate for W&M if he returns in 2018.

I don't see Racquet going this year...he'll want a much better year for the Tribe next season.

Raquet just drafted by the Nationals in the third round.

https://twitter.com/chelsea_janes/status...5814554625

He gone!

He's nuts if he doesn't sign. Third round money is pretty big and the Nats don't have a ton in the minors. Great chance to advance quickly

He has over half a million reasons to sign with the Nats!

Nationals take Raquet in the third round, 103rd overall. MLB.com had this to say about him:

"Raquet is considered one of the best college lefties in the Mid Atlantic region thanks to a fastball that hits 96 mph and feel to spin a breaking ball. But the William and Mary southpaw would be even more highly regarded if he did a better job throwing strikes. Raquet profiles as a reliever."

Slot value for the 103rd pick is a $522,300 signing bonus.

With how terrible the Nats bullpen is right now, and nothing exciting in the system, it's a great time to join the organization.

Sweet!

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Blue Jays take Cullen Large in the fifth round with the 159th overall pick.

MLB.com had this to say:
"Large was a bat-first second baseman for William and Mary, and that's what he projects to be at the next level. A left-handed hitter with below-average speed, Large performed well at the plate for three seasons. He doesn't project any plus tools, but a team will take a chance on his bat."

Baseball America says this:
"“…[H]e is a solid athlete whose calling card is his bat. Some scouts give him above-average raw power, and he has a chance to get to it because of his feel for hitting. He’s comfortable working deep counts, isn’t afraid to draw a walk and can drive balls to both gaps… He’s a switch-hitter with sneaky pop from the left side. Large’s range and hands are fringy and he should become an an average defender at second.”

Slot value for the 159th pick is a $302,100 signing bonus.

Congrats to both on getting this great opportunity. Take the money and run!

Great for program visibility and recruiting.

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For the second time in program history, the William & Mary baseball team has had two players taken inside the first five rounds of the MLB Draft as junior Cullen Large was selected in the fifth round with the 159th pick by the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday afternoon.

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The Nats scouts seem very high on Raquet

https://twitter.com/chelsea_janes/status...3210336256
Chelsea Janes‏Verified account
@chelsea_janes

Scouting Director Kris Kline said he was surprised Nick Raquet fell to them where he did. Thinks he projects back end of the bullpen.

8:21 PM - 13 Jun 2017

Nick Brown taken by the Twins in the 32nd round at #946.

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So, they are almost at 1000. That means there are only, what, about 5000 more picks to go...