Memorial’s Riedel in ‘win-win situation’
Star shortstop committed to playing for North Carolina, but he could still be picked or receive undrafted free-agent deal
Jack Riedel isn’t leaving any possibilities on the table, even with a shortened MLB draft.
The Houston Memorial shortstop has been in contact with pro scouts since last summer. A draft cut from the normal 40 rounds to five because of implications from the COVID-19 outbreak limits the swath of Houston-area high school players who will hear their name called June 10-11.
Riedel could still be one of those names. He could be one of many offered an undrafted free agent deal, which would be for $20,000 under the draft’s changes.
He expects his future in the sport starts with baseball at the University of North Carolina, though.
“It would just really have to be a big number for me to forgo college,” Riedel said of a potential signing bonus.
The landscape has changed, at least momentarily. Major League Baseball shortened this summer’s draft with the owners’ efforts to save money that could be lost during the season because of the pandemic.
Teams can sign an unlimited number of undrafted free agents, but the slot value for the last pick in the fifth round of this year’s draft is $324,100 compared to $20,000 for undrafted free agent deals.
High school players who are drafted and signed to colleges have the option to start a pro career or stick with college ball and re-enter the draft after three years. The changes might push high school players toward college even more than usual, especially those who would have been drafted in the middle or later rounds of a full 40round draft.
Riedel isn’t too concerned but wonders if a full season might have strengthened his case to be a higher draft pick now rather than later.
At 6-1 and 180 pounds, Riedel is considered a rising prospect with near-elite defensive abilities in the infield. He turned in an impressive summer in 2019, accentuated by a strong performance in the Area Code Games, a respected showcase for players.
“That’s when I realized that this could be an option,” Riedel said. “Then, I got a call the day after I made the Area Code team. I did really well at Area Code, too, and more scouts kept reaching out. That’s when I thought it could be a real possibility.”
Riedel’s junior season felt like a precursor to a major senior campaign. He hit .286 with three home runs, 23 runs, 31 RBIs, 11 stolen bases and a .470 on-base percentage in 2019.
Memorial was one of the state’s best Class 6A teams this season, with an expectation to play deep into May, too.
“I personally actually got off to a really good start to the season,” Riedel said of 2020. “I had a couple of home runs already, was feeling really good. I only had four strikeouts the whole season. More scouts were coming every game. They were starting to show up more and more. I was like ‘If I keep doing this, there is a chance I go a lot earlier than what I thought.’ Then, coronavirus happened. We got canceled, and what they saw is what they get.”
Riedel isn’t treating it like a struck of bad luck. He, like many other in his shoes, feels grateful for the process.
“I’m still really excited to go to college,” Riedel said. “I’m honestly in a win-win situation.”