re: Ethan Frey...Is the plan for him to take over for JJ at 1st??

I could see 1st, but I also wonder why he couldn't work out in right field. He doesn't the quickest first step because of his height, but he has wheels, so his range should be at least average.

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He's likely not even getting a 6 figure NIL deal staying at LSU. He will get far more for a signing bonus than he ever would in an NIL deal. Most NIL deals are enough to cover the cost of tuition with maybe a little pocket change left over to entice high school kids to take a chance at college to improve their signing bonus when they become draft eligible again. They're not enough to entice juniors in college to sacrifice their leverage.

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That's not accurate. Bear is making $250k this year. Jay prioritized getting Frey back. For argument's sake, let's say Jay gets $250k for Frey next year, he would need to get drafted by the last pick in the 7th round to match that. Draft slot #225 = $250,300

Yes, Frey would lose his leverage if he came back. But there is a very real possibility that his NIL deal could be within striking distance of his draft slot bonus. I wouldn't bet on Frey being back, but there is absolutely a chance it could happen.

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I just don’t see how the kid gets drafted high when he had virtually no college experience at a defensive position.

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How much experience does it take to play corner outfield? All they have to do is time his speed, watch him throw a few balls, then see him shag fly balls. In an hour they can learn enough to determine what kind of outfielder he would be. It’s almost all about hitting.

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Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 45

Frey led Rosepine (La.) HS to back-to-back state 2-A championships in 2021 and 2022, then added a College World Series title as a Louisiana State freshman in 2023. He played sparingly in his first two years with the Tigers, making just 11 starts and collecting just 76 at-bats, then missed summer ball last year because he required surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. After he finally asserted himself as a regular until midway through this season, he became the most productive bat in LSU's lineup.

One of the more imposing hitters in college baseball at 6-foot-6 and 225 pounds, Frey is built to hit for power. He's strong and has a quick right-handed stroke to go with an affinity to driving the ball in the air, a combination that allows him to hit balls out of any part of the park. While he lacks a long track record, he's a patient hitter who has had success this year against both lefties and righties and all types of pitches.

The fact that Frey has spent the majority of his college career as a DH belies his athleticism. A former catcher and dual-threat quarterback in high school, he has solid speed and arm strength to match. He should be able to play right field in pro ball and could merit a look in center.

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This is the MLB scouting report on Frey in their prospect list. As you can see, they don't care that he didn't play a position at LSU.

He will get taken before the 5th round and get over 600K. Can possibly be taken in the 3rd and get a mil. Let's enjoy these next 2 weeks.

Exactly. I don't understand why people think the gap between a signing bonus and what he might be able to make in NIL is so huge. It's not. Of course, MLB signing bonuses can flex and he could use NIL opportunities to negotiate a higher signing bonus, potentially to 750k+, which I don't think we could match. But, if you can make what you'd have made in a signing bonus in NIL instead and you love being at LSU, why not come back if the price is right? You're not "losing your leverage." You are using your leverage in NIL contracts rather than on a signing bonus. And in the end, you still make that 400-500k.

And lose a year of value to the majors, dont forget that.

seniors will sign for like $20k

they literally get drafted to save slot value.

i don’t think any Baseball player is getting 400-500k in NIL

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He’d be lucky to have a six figure NIL deal. This is baseball, not football

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Things change very rapidly in the NIL game, and this is most likely not the case now, but 2023 Championship team didn't have a single player making $100,000. Few were over $50,000. I think there are several on this team, but I doubt there are many. I would suspect Bear is the leader as I have heard that he is around $200,000.

All I heard last year is guys like Jared Jones grow on trees n don't carry a super high valve to mlb teams. We think a guy with half that production that doesn't have a position defensively is definitely going pro? I don't see it...