For the experts

[Texsox]

How do years in the minors compare and contrast with years in college? Which is generally the fastest route to the show? Is it different by position?

[Chisoxfn]

I don't have any good study on that. You could spend a ton of time in the minors either way. If you count college, it probably equates pretty close to the same amount of overall years. Yes, there is the rare high schooler who is up at a super young age (drafted with minimal time in the minors) but it tends to be pretty rare. Usually guys get to the big leagues around similar ages, high school draft picks who make the show in general probably have a slightly younger age than the college equivalent but also a differing risk profile (and of course there are potential to strengthen / hurt your draft stock if you take the college path).

 

Advice I'd give if it were my kid, unless it is a high draft choice, go to college and keep more of your options open (you still haven't closed off your potential for playing professional ball, but you also aren't hindering / setting back your potential for succeeding in other non-baseball professions if that path doesn't work.

[almagest]

I don't have any good study on that. You could spend a ton of time in the minors either way. If you count college, it probably equates pretty close to the same amount of overall years. Yes, there is the rare high schooler who is up at a super young age (drafted with minimal time in the minors) but it tends to be pretty rare. Usually guys get to the big leagues around similar ages, high school draft picks who make the show in general probably have a slightly younger age than the college equivalent but also a differing risk profile (and of course there are potential to strengthen / hurt your draft stock if you take the college path).

 

Advice I'd give if it were my kid, unless it is a high draft choice, go to college and keep more of your options open (you still haven't closed off your potential for playing professional ball, but you also aren't hindering / setting back your potential for succeeding in other non-baseball professions if that path doesn't work.

It seems like the only players to make it up at a very young age are the ones with projected hall of fame talent.

 

[Texsox]

I don't have any good study on that. You could spend a ton of time in the minors either way. If you count college, it probably equates pretty close to the same amount of overall years. Yes, there is the rare high schooler who is up at a super young age (drafted with minimal time in the minors) but it tends to be pretty rare. Usually guys get to the big leagues around similar ages, high school draft picks who make the show in general probably have a slightly younger age than the college equivalent but also a differing risk profile (and of course there are potential to strengthen / hurt your draft stock if you take the college path).

 

Advice I'd give if it were my kid, unless it is a high draft choice, go to college and keep more of your options open (you still haven't closed off your potential for playing professional ball, but you also aren't hindering / setting back your potential for succeeding in other non-baseball professions if that path doesn't work.

 

I'm just wondering for the average kid would four years of college ball equal four years in the minors. I'm guessing it takes at least two years of college to equal one year of pro ball based on teh number of games and adjusting to life as a pro ball player.