Devon Torrence taken by Astros

[obie7661]

If the money is right, call Devon Torrence an Astro. If dollars don’t make sense, put him in scarlet and gray.

The Houston Astros selected Torrence on Friday in the 16th round — 501st overall — of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. Torrence, who received the news while at his mom’s house in Massillon, had been projected as high as a second- or third-round pick....

http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=358950&Category=17&subCategoryID=29

http://www.cantonrep.com/photos/2007/06/m_08mTorrence_Devon_(b.jpg

[longtimefirsttime]

Congrats to him. Somehow I still hope we see big things from him in a Buckeyes uniform.

[massillon catholic]

Congrats to him. Somehow I still hope we see big things from him in a Buckeyes uniform.


If I read the article correctly. He still may receive 2nd or 3rd round signing bonus money. Houston just didn't want to waste a 2nd or 3rd round pick on him if he was going to the buckeyes. I expect him to take the money and go to baseball.

[longtimefirsttime]

I would expect him to go for the money. Athletes do that all the time (and really can you blame them?). But as an OSU fan I still would like to see him on their roster.

[TigerDL71]

I would expect him to go for the money. Athletes do that all the time (and really can you blame them?). But as an OSU fan I still would like to see him on their roster.


I agree that you can't really blame him. People will say get your education first but just with his signing bonus he could use that money in the future and spend it on all 4 years in college and still have money left over. I would love to see him in an OSU uniform next year but I think he will get an offer from the astros that is too good to pass up.

[massillon catholic]

I'm more interested in seeing the other Torrence in a buckeye football uniform. Devon should go for the money. He's a better baseball player and he may never have the chance to make this kind of money again. Go for the money!

[TigerswillbeTigers]

I'm pretty sure I remember crackerman telling us that Devon would never play a down of football at OSU because he's a better baseball player then a football player, and a 1st rounder that would be offered a big signing bonus when he was drafted.
I guess the 16th round is relatively close to the 1st round (sounds like one of my predictions) and perhaps the reason he fell a bit (Hmmm) is because of teams being "affraid" that he would stay at OSU and play football, but I'm not so sure.
Is he a very good baseball player? Yes!
Is he a top 100 or 200 baseball player? Obviously not! Therefore I think there's a very good chance we will see him in an OSU football uniform this season, and perhaps a few more.
BTW cracker, what ever happened to that "Phenom" QB that went to LSU a couple years ago that was going to start as a freshman and take JaMarcus (1st overall choice in the 2007 NFL draft) Russells job away from him?
Wasn't his name Ryan Perrilloux or something? Just messin my man!

[austinsm11]

What kind of bonus does a 16th rounder get?

[massillon catholic]

What kind of bonus does a 16th rounder get?


About a weeks allowance.

[austinsm11]

I am clueless about what kind of bonus it would be, but I would think he would be better off to go play football and baseball in college.

[massillon catholic]

I am clueless about what kind of bonus it would be, but I would think he would be better off to go play football and baseball in college.


Its tough to do both, especially at the major college level. I think they'll give him a bonus of a 3rd or 4th round pick if he agrees to sign. I'd take the money. One injury in football and he loses both chances

[monte81]

He will be in school this fall and I do not think he would risk his future on being a 16th round pick. If he is ML material a few years at OSU will only make him better. From what I say at the spring game from the back ups DT and Clifford could play alot of football in 2008 and Tressel already agreed that he can play baseball as well.
Sorry I didnt see this thread the 1st time.

[austinsm11]

I think they'll give him a bonus of a 3rd or 4th round pick if he agrees to sign. I'd take the money. One injury in football and he loses both chances

If that is the case, then I would agree. But why would they pay him 3rd/4th round money? Not trying to be smart. As I mentioned before I have no idea.

I have a feeling what Monte says will be true.

[massillon catholic]

He will be in school this fall and I do not think he would risk his future on being a 16th round pick. If he is ML material a few years at OSU will only make him better. From what I say at the spring game from the back ups DT and Clifford could play alot of football in 2008 and Tressel already agreed that he can play baseball as well.
Sorry I didnt see this thread the 1st time.

I agree with you Monte that he could play football in the Fall. IMO, its too hard to excel at a major college level in two sports. If he does it his Freshman year, I would expect him to drop one of the sports by his sophomore year and focus soley on the sport that he can go the furthest. I think that, that is Baseball.

[TigerDL71]

If that is the case, then I would agree. But why would they pay him 3rd/4th round money? Not trying to be smart. As I mentioned before I have no idea.

I have a feeling what Monte says will be true.


Alright I will try to explain this to everyone on here about the baseball draft so try and bear with me.

The MLB draft is far different then any other draft out there. With football and basketball in the first couple rounds the BEST players are going to be drafted because the teams know for sure that they are going to play. However, with baseball the teams doing the drafting do not only have to judge a player's talent but also the chances of that player actually skipping college and signing with the team. You could draft the best player out of high school ever in the first round but he could not sign with the team and then you have lost your first round pick for the year. Devon could have been a really high pick but teams didn't want to waist that high of a pick on a player that has a chance of not signing with the team. Thats why people are saying if he does choose to sign with the Astros that he could demand a 3rd or 4th round pick bonus. I hope this makes sense for people and clears things up a bit.

[austinsm11]

Alright I will try to explain this to everyone on here about the baseball draft so try and bear with me.

The MLB draft is far different then any other draft out there. With football and basketball in the first couple rounds the BEST players are going to be drafted because the teams know for sure that they are going to play. However, with baseball the teams doing the drafting do not only have to judge a player's talent but also the chances of that player actually skipping college and signing with the team. You could draft the best player out of high school ever in the first round but he could not sign with the team and then you have lost your first round pick for the year. Devon could have been a really high pick but teams didn't want to waist that high of a pick on a player that has a chance of not signing with the team. Thats why people are saying if he does choose to sign with the Astros that he could demand a 3rd or 4th round pick bonus. I hope this makes sense for people and clears things up a bit.


Thanks TigerDL. That clears it up some for me. I was actually going to ask about signing the players. That never made sense to me. How can a player get drafted and choose not to sign? Don't they just have to sit out a year and then enter the following year's draft? In other sports isn't the player SOL unless the team trades them (like Manning to the Giants)?

It seems strange to me that if he had 1st or 2nd round potential that a team wouldn't have taken a risk on him earlier than the 16th round. Does anyone know what 3rd/4th round signing bonus could bring?

[The Butler]

How can a player get drafted and choose not to sign?

Eligible players are either high school seniors or college juniors or seniors. HS seniors may choose not to sign in order to attend college and get an education and play ball (much as in Devon's case). If a HS player chooses not to sign to go to college, he won't be available for the draft for 3 years. College juniors may not sign in order to stay for thier senior season and possibly get a degree.

[austinsm11]

Ok, that clears it up.

Thanks Butler.

[monte81]

I agree with you Monte that he could play football in the Fall. IMO, its too hard to excel at a major college level in two sports. If he does it his Freshman year, I would expect him to drop one of the sports by his sophomore year and focus soley on the sport that he can go the furthest. I think that, that is Baseball.

Devon will play both sports for at least 2/3 years to have a chance to play with Devoe at OSU. Baseball is HIS best sport but as a defensive back the bucks knew he has the potential to be 1st/2nd team big ten in a few years in football. However if the Astros give him top 5 round money to not attend OSU I would play baseball and put up a college fund just in case.

[longtimefirsttime]

From the Rep:
"Sources close to the negotiations say the Astros and Torrence are nearing a deal that would allow Torrence to play both sports. A meeting with Ohio State coach Jim Tressel and compliance officers is scheduled for Monday."

[longtimefirsttime]

From Todd Porter's weekly prep notes column (the usual TP disclaimer applies):
"When the Houston Astros drafted Canton South outfielder Devon Torrence with the 501st pick in the baseball draft, the team knew Torrence had signed to play football at Ohio State. As such, high school players usually can get a little more signing bonus money.
However, an American League scout told us Torrence is asking for fourth-round money. Last year, seven high school position players were taken in the fourth round, and the average signing bonus was $507,000 - it ranged from $227,000 to $1 million."
http://cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=360397&Category=17&fromSearch=yes&subCategoryID=0

[obie7661]

Torrence Signs with the Astros

http://ohiostate.scout.com/2/652774.html

[TigerswillbeTigers]

It's got to be a very exciting day for the young man. If nothing else, he's learned over the past few months how hard work and desire can payoff with a scholarship to OSU, and the contract he's now signed.

I know it's his intentions to be a two sport star, but I have a feeling he'll be focusing on being a one sport star by this time next year.

Congratulations DeVon!