I’ve been saying for a while I think Hurter gets drafted this year even if he doesn’t pitch. I believe the current situation makes it much more likely he leaves than stays. There’s no pressure on him to make a comeback to competitive games this season, so he’ll have plenty of time to work on what he needs to get 100% healthy. Since scouts didn’t really get a good look at anybody this season, it can’t really be held against him that he didn’t pitch. Plus with how congested next year’s draft class is likely to be, I don’t think he would risk coming back next year.
Hughes is definitely gone. I was surprised he didn’t get drafted last year. He’ll probably be one of the senior sign guys teams take in the top 10 rounds and sign for like $10k.
An interesting note on Austin Wilhite coming back is that there’s a chance Nick is able to come back and play next year also. His academic probation forced him out of school for the 2019-20 academic year, so if he wanted to he could re-enroll and have his final year of eligibility left to play next year. That said I think the Wilhites will be a package deal next year. Either both of them are back, or neither of them are.
The 2 I think that will be hurt the most by the season ending early are Waddell and Radcliff. Both of them will be drafted, but I believe it will be a lot harder for scouts to distinguish between position players with limited numbers than pitchers.
Guldberg is on the fringe. I think he could be a late round pick, but I don’t think that will be enough to entice him to leave. He’s a year away from graduating with an IE degree from Georgia Tech. The dude is literally a machine. His power numbers were on pace to well surpass his output from last year, and he’s just a pure hitter. I’d say the biggest limiting factor for Guldberg is that he doesn’t really have a true position. Pro outfielders are going to be asked to hit for more power than what I believe he’s capable of, and I’m not sure how great of an infielder he is. We’ll see what happens but I’d count on Guldy to be back.
I’d also count on Colin to be back. One of the biggest reasons is that it’s almost a given that when he leaves, CDH will also call it quits. I don’t think either of them are ready for it to be over after this. He also wasn’t having a great year at the plate.
It’s highly doubtful Rigby and Webb will be coming back. I don’t believe Chapman will be drafted, so he’ll more than likely be back.
One of the biggest factors for everybody is how the NCAA will handle eligibility. I’ve read where only seniors will have the option to retain their year of eligibility, while everyone else will just have to eat the year. Nobody really knows how it will play out. I’m thankful for all the guys who wear the white and gold. This senior class is really the last class I have a personal connection with. It’ll be sad to see them go. For those on the board, a lot of my “insider” information will go with them
. I wish things could be different. But without even an MLB Opening Day to look forward to, baseball isn’t the constant James Earl Jones said it was.
