Phil Bickford heading to independent ball

[Angrioter]

When the Toronto Blue Jays opted to utilize their first round pick in the 2013 MLB Draft on Phil Bickford, it was a curious selection that turned out to be a mistake. Seen as a long-shot to sign due to his commitment to Cal State Fullerton, the Blue Jays were unable to sway the right-hander away from school and had to wait an additional year to receive a compensation pick.

 

If only Phil Bickford could have seen just one year into the future.

 

According to Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA, Bickford has opted not to return to school this fall and is likely to opt for joining an independent league team this spring. From there, he will re-enter the MLB Draft in June.

In his lone season at Cal State Fullerton, the 6’4″ 185 pound righty went 6-3 with a 2.13 ERA and a 8.76 K/9 ratio in 76 innings of work, according to the team’s website. That performance, coupled with a solid turn in independent baseball will only enhance his draft stock in June. However, there is a curiosity there of whether or not if he could do better than the #7 pick or the $2 million signing bonus he turned down to spend one year in college.

 

Of course, while the Blue Jays did have to sacrifice a year of development time, the team did turn that compensation pick into catcher Max Pentecost in the 2014 draft, which was arguably a better overall choice for the club’s needs. They also drafted Jeff Hoffman in the first round, replacing a questionable sign with an arm that likely would have been the top pick in the draft had it not been for Tommy John surgery.

 

The Blue Jays have made a habit of turning those comp picks into upgrades, also working the magic by turning their failure to sign Tyler Beede into a gem named Marcus Stroman. That worked out pretty well for them, right?

 

http://jaysjournal.com/2014/08/25/former-blue-jays-draft-pick-phil-bickford-heading-independent-ball/

[Atothe]

Haha, not a good idea

[The Cats Ass]

Haha, not a good idea

 

How so...

 

It's actually a good idea. He's gonna go high in the draft and get paid 1 year sooner then what he would have other wise. He'll also get better training through pro ball coaches next year after he signs.

[Angrioter]

How so...

 

It's actually a good idea. He's gonna go high in the draft and get paid 1 year sooner then what he would have other wise. He'll also get better training through pro ball coaches next year after he signs.

He should sign for 2 millions with the Jays.

[The Cats Ass]

He should sign for 2 millions with the Jays.

 

It'd be nice. I'd take him. But he'll get more.

[Stangstag]

I'm glad we didn't sign him. I like Hoffman and Pentecost better

[KingKat]

Independent League will ruin Bickford just like it ruined Paxton.

[GD]

I just have this irrational dislike of Phil Bickford.

[theblujay]

I just have this irrational dislike of Phil Bickford.

 

Same

[GD]

Why?

 

No f***ing idea.

[GD]

Got it. Definitely the hair. And the face. And everything. f*** i just hate that guy.

[baubau]

I'm glad we didn't sign him. I like Hoffman and Pentecost better

 

I am with you. Sometimes I wonder if AA intentionally botched that pick so he could get another pick in this year's draft. It is yet to be seen if it works or not. Hoffman/Pentecost could falter for us and Bickfod becomes the next Jared Weaver but I am happy with how things turned out.

[Orgfiller]

He seems pretty douche-y from that photo.

[Angrioter]

Odio a ese bastardo!!

[KingKat]

Huh?

 

i.e. It won't ruin him at all. Paxton is boss.

[TwistedLogic]

I personally was for the Bickford pick most of the way, because I wanted them to punt that pick. Meadows was the only guy in that area of the draft that I wanted, and when he was gone, it felt like just a whole bunch of meh. Regardless of how it plays out, I'm really happy with the Pentecost pick.

[GD]

I personally was for the Bickford pick most of the way, because I wanted them to punt that pick. Meadows was the only guy in that area of the draft that I wanted, and when he was gone, it felt like just a whole bunch of meh. Regardless of how it plays out, I'm really happy with the Pentecost pick.

 

I felt the same but it's pretty apparent that we were both wrong on Shipley and Crawford.

[TheHurl]

Like all players that turn down 1st round money...I hope they do better. Cause it always makes the "I can't believe anyone would turn down that money, I hope they get hurt" crowd look stupid.

 

Him leaving school is a big red flag to me though.

[TheHurl]

I felt the same but it's pretty apparent that we were both wrong on Shipley and Crawford.

 

Peterson is still looking pretty good. There are several bats from later in the first that I still like too.

[KingKat]

 

Him leaving school is a big red flag to me though.

 

Can you elaborate? Seems like a smart play on the surface.

[The Cats Ass]

Like all players that turn down 1st round money...I hope they do better. Cause it always makes the "I can't believe anyone would turn down that money, I hope they get hurt" crowd look stupid.

 

Him leaving school is a big red flag to me though.

 

Ya, I don't understand why people dislike him so much because he turned down the Bluejays' offer. He told all the teams before the draft that he was planning on attending school, the Jays took the risk on drafting him, didn't sign him so they got the comp pick. People shouldn't be wishing ill on Bickford because of that. I'm with Hurl on this, hope he does great! Partially because I own him in the DDL, but also because of what Hurl said.

[KingKat]

Ya, I don't understand why people dislike him so much because he turned down the Bluejays' offer. He told all the teams before the draft that he was planning on attending school, the Jays took the risk on drafting him, didn't sign him so they got the comp pick. People shouldn't be wishing ill on Bickford because of that. I'm with Hurl on this, hope he does great! Partially because I own him in the DDL, but also because of what Hurl said.

 

Before the draft, his high-sky demands were well known. If the Jays decided to draft him anyways, that's on them not him.

[John_Havok]

Hair's in, I think the Birds should take a shot.

 

If you only read half his jersey it says "Tit"

 

Heh

[TheHurl]

Can you elaborate? Seems like a smart play on the surface.

 

If money was his motivator why not look to sign right away. It's not like he got right back into the next draft. CSB will likely be in the top 15 pre-season rankings again this year (last year they were 4 and had a disappointing season although still made the CWS regionals, where they had a top 10 team on the ropes before losing a 3 run lead to be eliminated). I know Assistant coach Kirby left this year which might be part of it...but it's pretty unusual to leave a top flight baseball school...for the sake of one year. It's possible that something in his life has changed and making money in 2015 is much bigger than 2016 for him but most likely it's something like he didn't get named Friday starter or something stupid like that.

[KingKat]

If money was his motivator why not look to sign right away. It's not like he got right back into the next draft. CSB will likely be in the top 15 pre-season rankings again this year (last year they were 4 and had a disappointing season although still made the CWS regionals, where they had a top 10 team on the ropes before losing a 3 run lead to be eliminated). I know Assistant coach Kirby left this year which might be part of it...but it's pretty unusual to leave a top flight baseball school...for the sake of one year. It's possible that something in his life has changed and making money in 2015 is much bigger than 2016 for him but most likely it's something like he didn't get named Friday starter or something stupid like that.

 

Now I follow. His huge contracts demands and now this. If you want to indulge in speculation based on very little, you can see signs that this guy thinks he's Roger Clemens and acts like it.

[The Cats Ass]

If money was his motivator why not look to sign right away. It's not like he got right back into the next draft. CSB will likely be in the top 15 pre-season rankings again this year (last year they were 4 and had a disappointing season although still made the CWS regionals, where they had a top 10 team on the ropes before losing a 3 run lead to be eliminated). I know Assistant coach Kirby left this year which might be part of it...but it's pretty unusual to leave a top flight baseball school...for the sake of one year. It's possible that something in his life has changed and making money in 2015 is much bigger than 2016 for him but most likely it's something like he didn't get named Friday starter or something stupid like that.

 

Or maybe they didn't name him a starter at all. Last year didn't they pitch him out of the pen a lot?

[Maahfaace]

Hair's in, I think the Birds should take a shot.

 

His arms look weak, he looks like a kid who drinks the dew and plays vid games all day