Interesting article in N&O today....

not about a NC player but one of much interest from a neighboring state...Justin Upton...Chesapeake Va


Seems he took placement tests at Louisburg on Monday while continuing negotiations with the Diamondbacks. Classes started today but he has until Aug 30 to enroll....His dad says that they wanted to make sure Justin had a place to play just in case he doesn't sign. His offer thus far is $4.6 million but Justin wants $5.5 -5.8 million. Upton first committed to NCState but when he decided not to attend it was actually Coach Avent who recommended that he consider playing at Louisburg! The article states that this is very similar to the situation with Brien Taylor who signed with the Yankees in 1991 after a weekend of orientation at Louisburg.

 

Hummmm.. Greed, and stupidity...

 

Cameron Maybin

Any updates on Cameron Maybin's situation?

 

Maybin hasn't signed yet.... according to Baseball America back on 7/25, the Tigers and Maybin were still far apart. I checked the Tigers website today and there isn't any news yet.

 

As of Friday, Maybin and the Tigers are 1.25 mil apart. Surely they can close that margin in a week

I will say the Tigers are noted for waiting until the last minute to sign.

Cameron's advisor has made a very interesting proposal. They want Cameron to sign a MLB contract that would put him on the 40 man roster. This would help the Tigers by spreading out his bonus over a 4 year period. It would help Cameron in that he is guaranteed a ML roster position in the next 4 years or he becomes a free agent.

 

Saw Upton yesterday. Very well built player. Louisburg has a heck of a team coming back this year and Upton on top of that would be incredible. Hope we get him for a year (or two of course but I am realistic).

 

I still don't understand why NC State bothered to sign him. And as far as Louisburg is concerned, he used them to extend his time to sign. He will never play a game for them. It was a smart business move, but the school is being used.

 

Agreed Braves. Upton is using them and has no plans to play there. Louisburg is using Upton to gain exposure. So, I guess it works well for both programs in some twisted kind of way. But if I were Louisburg I would do the same thing because of the exposure they gain by this. As for the other side of the fence, where does Upton think he will be drafted next year if he returns to school? He can't go up and he won't get more money than he is being offered now, so why is he doing this? He may want to sign and get in to camp and improve his game if he wants to play in the big leagues. He should see from the problems his brother is having defensively that he needs to improve to make it to the show. Just another example of a sport (professional baseball)going in the wrong direction by giving in to these kids and paying them the amount of money they do. Plenty of kids would sign for free, so let these kids that want all this money go their own way to try to find even a tenth of what they are being offered. And all you hear about is Terrell Owens and his demands, but this is just as obsurd. At least Owens has proven he is a top athlete in a top league, Upton hasn't done anything yet. Ridiculous...

 

I agree with you Coach. But other teams would have paid the #1 pick slotted money and except for the moron Bush last year, 4.5-5 mil is not out of bounds. But, when you get advisors involved, you don't always get the best advice.

I also agree with you about his projectibility. I think Maybin has always shown more in that area. Cameron has the potential to be a Vlad Guerrero type (with more speed). Who would you compare Upton too? His brother? Sheesh! Don't get me wrong, I like Justin. He is very athletic...but his hype exceeds his talent. Maybin, on the other hand, makes you drool considering what he may become.

But both young men are very strong in character...so I wish them both success in their future

Exposure?..yeah, I guess. I imagine it could in some small way help Louisburg with future recruits

 

He could still play at Louisburg 1 year and sign before the 06 draft . I think ?