Phillies Slammed for Reportedly Ratting Out Draft Pick to NCAA
Oregon State Beavers pitcher Ben Wetzler. Photo | Jaime Valdez, USA TODAY Sports
The Phillies are a lot of things: A recent — okay, recent-ish — World Series champion. The baseball team with the most losses in history. And now, apparently, a bunch of narcs.
Let’s explain: When baseball players are drafted out of high school or after their junior year of college, they don’t have to sign with the team that drafted them. They can start or return to college — but if they want to preserve their eligibility, they can’t use an agent to negotiate with the team that drafted them. It’s all part of the NCAA’s framework of rules upholding the Victorian-era standard of amateurism in England.
But CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa explains how it actually works:
One of the NCAA’s many silly rules prohibits its athletes from using an agent to negotiate with professional teams, but many do and it is an open secret in baseball. The agents are typically referred to as “advisors.” With thousands and sometimes millions of dollars being discussed, having proper counsel is imperative.
Yes! It is a good idea for young men to get the best representation so they’re not screwed by their employers. Well, ha ha, Phillies’ fifth round draft pick Ben Wetzler didn’t sign with the Phillies and so Baseball America‘s Aaron Fitt says the team turned him into the NCAA for using an agent.
Several sources have confirmed #OregonState LHP Ben Wetzler was turned in to #NCAA by #Phillies, who drafted him in 5th round last year.
— Aaron Fitt (@aaronfitt) February 20, 2014
#Phillies move is a significant departure from industry norm, as #MLB clubs almost never try to get unsigned players in trouble with #NCAA.
— Aaron Fitt (@aaronfitt) February 20, 2014
Basically, Fitt writes that because Wetzler didn’t sign, the Phillies are attempting to vindictively harm his future earning power by narcing on him to the NCAA. He adds that, even though the Phils turned him in, that doesn’t mean Wetzler actually broke any rules.
Naturally, reaction is running pretty heavily anti-Phillies — even moreso! — among baseball writers on Twitter.
I guess we should be happy Phillies are only a baseball team and not in the position to do things like report Chinese dissidents.
— Dan Szymborski (@DSzymborski) February 20, 2014
I'm impressed by Phillies. Whenever the NCAA looks terrible in a story, but you're not even sure they look the *worst*, that's doing work.
— Mike Petriello (@mike_petriello) February 20, 2014
I'd suggest a pox on the Phillies' house but jeez, Ruben Amaro Jr. doesn't need my help.
— Jay Jaffe (@jay_jaffe) February 20, 2014
NCAA no-agent rule is stupid. Players deserve representation when dealing w/multi-billion $ industry. They don't declare for the #mlbdraft.
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) February 20, 2014
Bottom line re: Phillies: Teenagers negotiating with a professional sports team should have access to agents' representation.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) February 20, 2014
Oh, yes, if you’re wondering, this is a Phillies habit.
#Phillies also attempted to turn in #Wazzu's Jason Monda, their 6th-rounder last year. He was cleared to play by #NCAA just this Thursday.
— Aaron Fitt (@aaronfitt) February 20, 2014
The Phillies aren’t just content to ruin your summer with their crappy play anymore. It seems they want to pick on college kids, too.
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