It is a commonly debated topic.
Should young athletes turn professional when their age still ends with “teen?”
NBA stars such as Kobe Bryant and Lebron James had multi-million dollar contracts and sponsorship deals as soon as they graduated high school. Now, the NBA requires athletes to play one year of college ball before being draft-eligible, while Major League Baseball is the only of the “big three” sports in which players can turn pro immediately after high school.
Even here in Plant City, there are several cases where young athletes have had (and some accepted) professional contracts.
In June, Durant pitcher Tyler Danish accepted a deal with the Chicago White Sox after being drafted in the second round of the MLB First Year Player Draft, open to high school players, community and junior college players and other college players that have played at least three seasons. Danish had a full scholarship offer from the University of Florida but signed with the White Sox, including a $1,001,800 signing bonus.
The 18-year-old, who finished his senior season with Durant with a 0.00 ERA, is now a millionaire playing for Chicago’s Rookie League affiliate, Bristol.
Local soccer standout Omar Castro is playing in Europe and likely will play professional Division I soccer after his 18th birthday.
Even younger is local baseball pitcher Chelsea Baker. Baker, 16, has made a habit of striking out boys on the mound and received a contract to play professional women’s baseball in Japan last year. She turned the offer down but says she is considering playing overseas after high school instead of for the United States women’s baseball team, which doesn’t play a full season.
So the question becomes this: Is this the right move for these young stars? College is important, but I can’t say I would turn down a million-dollar contract to play pro baseball after turning my tassel at high school graduation. If things don’t work out, and the athletes are careful with their finances, college is still a realistic option down the road, compared to student loans and other alternatives.
Contracts obviously vary by sport. Japanese women pro baseball players make about $35,000 to $50,000 per year. So, having money be the only factor wouldn’t be fair.
For the athletes themselves, sometimes the opportunity itself is just too good to pass up. Danish seemed excited to be a Florida Gator after leaving Durant, but going as high as he went in the draft made the decision to turn pro easier. Danish is off to a strong start in Bristol and could make his way up to “the show” before he would have been eligible to be drafted again out of Florida (after his junior year).
If Baker goes to play in Japan, she likely would be the first American to do so. Castro likely will be one of a select few Americans good enough to earn a European soccer contract.
Tuning pro at a young age is a big decision. It’s a decision I couldn’t imagine making when I was 17 or 18. I had a hard enough time deciding what to eat for dinner or what to do on the weekend.
Ultimately, it should be the athlete’s decisions, even at 18 or younger. Parents, coaches and friends can and should be consulted, but these decisions will affect the athlete down the road, so it is his or hers to make.
The decisions certainly carry considerable risks. Professional sports is a business. If you’re not performing, a team likely will send you packing — even if that means eating money and cutting their losses.
Still, the positives often outweigh the risks. I wish nothing but the best to local athletes that are getting a jump-start on a pro career. If it’s the right opportunity, go for it.