Whitting preparing for expanded roster
Every June, University of Houston coach Todd Whitting has braced for the roster upheaval caused by the Major League Baseball draft.
Most years, Whitting can expect a few incoming signees to never make it to campus, instead choosing to take signing bonuses and begin professional careers, while others on the current roster decide to leave with eligibility still left.
“You anticipate you are going to lose a few to the draft,” Whitting said.
That could change this year.
In March, the coronavirus pandemic shut down college baseball after about one-third of the season and put the MLB season on hold. Nearly two months later, MLB officials continue to discuss options, including one that will have a farreaching impact on the college game: how to conduct the annual amateur draft.
One change: MLB plans to shorten the draft from 40 rounds to no fewer than five rounds, which will leave a logjam on college rosters that could be bursting at the seams next spring.
With the NCAA granting an extra year of eligibility to spring sports athletes whose seasons were canceled, Whitting is preparing for what amounts to “five classes of players” on a roster that typically has a maximum 35 limit.
“We’re just trying not to make any rash, quick decisions and see how this plays out,” Whitting said. “Not a lot of moves you can make at this point until MLB decides what they are going to do with the draft. That’s going to dictate our roster.”
In past years, Whitting was resigned to the fact that he would lose about a halfdozen players to the draft. He estimates that most, if not all, taken in the first 10 rounds eventually sign pro contracts. After 10 rounds, Whitting said it’s akin to “throwing darts.”
As a cost-cutting measure because of the COVID-19 shutdown that has affected revenue, MLB’s truncated draft — there is hope it can be expanded to 10 rounds — also is expected to include a $20,000 cap on signing bonuses for undrafted free agents. That means fewer spots for players to be taken — anywhere from 160 to 320 under the current proposals for five- and 10-round drafts compared to more than 1,200 for a full draft last year — and less financial incentive to sign.
As a result, UH — with a younger roster and few toptier or draft-eligible prospects — may not lose any players. Two key players — pitchers Sean Bretz and Layne Looney — were scheduled to miss this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
“That’s going to be a positive for our program,” Whitting said of a shortened draft. “We’ll be able to get kids to come to school now that in the past they were going to sign the entire time.”
For at least one season, teams likely will deal with increased roster size. There’s also a matter of scholarship distribution with 11.7 divided among 27 players.
A way to offset inflated roster numbers is through what many believe will be an unprecedented number of transfers. In recent weeks, the Cougars have lost a handful of players to the transfer portal, among them pitchers Lael Lockhart Jr., Jared Pettitte and Brayson Hurdsman and second baseman Kobe Hyland.
“I’ve had great conversations with our seniors, very frank, open and honest,” Whitting said. “That’s a class that has won some games here and won some championships. Those guys will always be Coogs. I’m very supportive of each one that has entered the transfer portal because I think sometimes you need a new atmosphere or environment.”
Whitting said some of the decisions range from graduate school choices to moving closer to home, while others want to begin a new chapter in their lives. There also is a financial consideration with the hefty price tag that comes with paying for tuition.
“They are having to make a lot of life-changing decisions right now,” Whitting said. “I’m just trying to be here to support those guys as much as I can and do what’s best for them.”
It’s not just at Houston. Whitting estimates that about 1,600 players have been in the transfer portal this season and that number could rise if the NCAA passes legislation to remove the requirement that transfers sit out one year before becoming eligible.
“At the end of the day, you can only play nine guys at a time,” Whitting said. “What you’ve got is these rosters that are so big. Kids want to make sure they have an opportunity if they are going to return to the program they are at.”
Other potential hiccups that could complicate player’s decisions: The MLB draft is still on schedule for June 10, although it could be delayed as late as July 20. Players would then have until Aug. 1 to decide whether to sign or attend school. And with minor league baseball also shut down, there is uncertainty when a player could begin his pro career.