2025 off-season thread

He’s playing in the mlb draft league with the West Virginia black bears. He’s definitely trying to get drafted. I think if he does get drafted and it’s the right fit, he’s gone. Otherwise I’d expect him to be back.
We could be short of depth without Sylvester returning. Two freshman QUINN SCHAMBOW and DEACON POMEROY are coming in unless they are highly picked in MLB draft.

Is Sylvester playing other positions in the MLB draft league or just catcher?
 
Last edited:
We could be short of depth without Sylvester returning. Two freshman QUINN SCHAMBOW and DEACON POMEROY are coming in unless they are highly picked in MLB draft.

Is Sylvester playing other positions in the MLB draft league or just catcher?
No one said he’s leaving yet. Let’s just see how the draft plays out. Second, we have a JUCO catcher coming in this fall in brady Francisco.

Schambow is a draft risk…he could potentially get drafted high. Has done well in numerous showcases and is on scouts radar. Deacon will make it to campus
 
No one said he’s leaving yet. Let’s just see how the draft plays out. Second, we have a JUCO catcher coming in this fall in brady Francisco.

Schambow is a draft risk…he could potentially get drafted high. Has done well in numerous showcases and is on scouts radar. Deacon will make it to campus
Josh must believe either Sylvester or Schambow or both will be lost to the MLB draft to bring in Smithwick. So we will have a Juco transfer, Deacon, and Smithwick for sure. If we have all five we may be overloaded at catcher.
 
Last edited:
No one said he’s leaving yet. Let’s just see how the draft plays out. Second, we have a JUCO catcher coming in this fall in brady Francisco.

Schambow is a draft risk…he could potentially get drafted high. Has done well in numerous showcases and is on scouts radar. Deacon will make it to campus

So at what point does NIL pay more than a players signing bonus? How many rounds before we are pretty comfortable they make it on campus?
 
Josh must believe either Sylvester or Schambow or both will be lost to the MLB draft to bring in Smithwick. So we will have a Juco transfer, Deacon, and Smithwick for sure. If we have all five we may be overloaded at catcher.
Or he just lost Ian Daugherty and wants an experienced catcher. He’s a legit 2026 mlb prospect. You don’t say no to that kind of talent. You want to have depth. We also lost Charlie Carter to the portal. Getting another catcher was going to be a priority especially one with experience.

Carrying 4 catchers is fine…deacon is a UTL player that can play third, first and corner OF. One will likely be a bullpen catcher. Josh will play two catchers. Schambow is good enough to play as a freshman should he make it to campus. The position will sort itself out..
 
So at what point does NIL pay more than a players signing bonus? How many rounds before we are pretty comfortable they make it on campus?
The MLB draft is on July 13 and 14, so that would be when we know is my guess. In the past most players would go to college or juco route unless they were drafted in the first ten rounds. Now with NIL money probably only make more money if you were in the top 5-6 rounds.

With NIL there will be more players opting to refusing MLB offers and going to college for two-three years.
 
So at what point does NIL pay more than a players signing bonus? How many rounds before we are pretty comfortable they make it on campus?
Depends on the team, what round they’re taken. Depends on the kids price range. A lot of variables. Some kids out of HS will ask for big signing bonuses, meaning the team will have to overpay for him not to go to college. As the draft gets closer, MLB teams will have a better idea which kids are deemed “willing to sign” versus will take the collegiate route. Any HS player thats drafted is a risk regardless of the round.

NIL could be in play but OSU doesn’t have a huge NIL budget compared to schools in the SEC. If they come to OSU, it’s because of Josh Holliday and Co.!
 
when it comes to NIL, we’re not going to be able to get into bidding wars with teams. We don’t have that kind of money. That’s just not a baseball problem, it’s an Oklahoma state problem. The same thing we’re seeing in softball.

I know they’re bringing kids in on officials. Just need to land them. Josh has also said he’s not going to built the mass majority of his roster through the portal.
Honestly, who in their right mind is digging into their “deep pockets” to give their hard earned money to an 18-22 year old; that has accomplished nothing and may not stick around more than a year?

I wouldn’t even consider it even if I did have the money.

The system is beyond broken and isn’t going to get better any time soon.
 
Honestly, who in their right mind is digging into their “deep pockets” to give their hard earned money to an 18-22 year old; that has accomplished nothing and may not stick around more than a year?

I wouldn’t even consider it even if I did have the money.

The system is beyond broken and isn’t going to get better any time soon.

I agree…I’m not going to give money to NIL. I don’t knock folks that do either but there’s much more important things I’d rather do with my money.
 
Back
Top