Zach Farmer

[Farr]

Yes, a decision based on arrogance. Sign for $100,000 or less, throw your arm out, wind up with nothing. Or, go to OSU, throw your arm out, wind up with a first rate education. Arrogance indeed!

My point is if he wanted to go to school, don't throw out numbers at people. Just see where you are drafted and make a decision from there. Teams will remember this. I wish him the best but if it was me, I'd take my chances in the minors. Take a second and think about it. Could you see why major league teams could see what is being described as arrogant?

There are many players who discuss this with Clubs before and/or during the draft. It is a safeguard for both parties. You are correct that teams will remember this, only it will be a good reason and not a negative as you implied. If he is someone that a team thought about drafting in the 5th round and thought he was signable for the slotted money of a 5th rounder and he expected more, that team would have wasted their pick. That being said, this draft was heavily weighted with lefties that touch bottom 90s that might have pushed him a little farther down than he should have been. I was told that the after 10th round 100,000 includes the cost of the education in the bonus. So take the 50K off from the education and buy yourself a new car and you have a rather small signing bonus (15k) after taxes, etc. So for the cost of a new car and 15k he chose to attend a quality program free of charge, earn his degree and maybe throw himself into the mix of the top 3 rounds with maturity and improvement. The new system of set money for first 10 rounds make the teams draft picks that much more important. I was still surprised someone didnt take a flyer on him in the late rounds in case something fell through academically before the school year.

[mikepike]

I doubt if he is the only kid not drafted because he wanted a certain amount of money to sign and made clubs aware of it. Sounds like a win-win to me. He goes to school, hopefully improves his skills AND gets an education, and an organization doesn't have a wasted draft pick. If Texas liked him enough to consider drafting him this year, how much more valuable might be be in 3 years? I figure they'll monitor his progress.

[danicalifornia]

The Zeigler kid from Defiance (D2 poy, Louisville) and Wilder from Lima Shawnee (NC State) were other HS pitchers not selected from this years class. Could easily be the same situation with these two as they were both projected to be high picks.

[nice guy]

He was throwin some gas today at the All-Star game.

[jervin]

IMO: MR. Farmer made a great decision. Go to OSU get an education. (get stronger, show the scouts how you compete against other top players from the country). move up 3-4 rounds make alot more money. or dont get drafted, have college paid for, make good money with no or little dedt. ....A man cannot see the future, if he doesnt look beyond today

[bman]

Zach has very good talent but it's also still raw. He'll get into a college level conditioning program at OSU and I'm sure his command and pitch location will improve, which I'd say are his biggest weaknesses right now. He'll also work on a stellar education. MLB will come in time. Best of luck in Columbus.

[oldschoolwebgem]

No disrespect to the other 1st teamers at the VA on Monday but he looked like a man among boys on the mound with excellent location and was throwing cheddar.

[baseball16]

If we are going by looks then stonerock looked like a man amongst boys.

Farmer def threw hard and set down 3 good hitters.
He's going to OSU for a reason.

[kingofthegame]

Southeastern Ohio kids who go on to pitch at Ohio State don't have a good track record of making it to the next level, mainly because they throw their arms out. [/quote]

Josh Newman from Burg? Did pretty well getting from OSU to the bigs.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/playe ... jo01.shtml

[bengalfan76]

Congrats to Zach. All Regional team on the Bca, Abca, and Rawlings teams

Also for making Third team All American for Abca and Rawlings teams.

[Tdriver64]

Congrats Zach, some very well deserved honors!!!

[Fan of The Blue and Gold]

Congrats to Zach and the Piketon's coaching staff. Baseball was his primary sport but he was a multi-sport athlete! He did it the right way! He deserves all the awards that he is getting!