DJ Suonandajie and Other Chinese Players Sets Sights on MLB Draft

Since then, six other development center graduates have been signed, by Boston, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee and Philadelphia. Five of them suffered the same fate as Xu, unable to rise above the lowest levels of the minor leagues before their eventual release. Only Jolon Zhao, a right-handed pitcher in Milwaukee’s system, remains.

DJ will be one of at least nine graduates who are trying a different path by being on a baseball scholarship at a U.S. college this fall. Two more graduates are mulling scholarship offers.

Once enrolled in college, they become eligible for M.L.B.’s annual draft, which will begin Sunday and run for three days. While M.L.B. is in negotiations with the players’ union over the creation of an international draft — a deadline looms July 25 for that decision — the current system is limited to amateurs playing in the United States and Canada.

Besides making development center graduates much easier to be seen and tracked by M.L.B. scouts, Chang says there are other merits to choosing the college option rather than signing as a free agent.

“Honestly, for me, this is a blessing,” Chang said. “Facing the shock of a new culture and the rigors of 144-game minor league seasons, which is so many more games than they’ve played in a season here, at 17 years old, is incredibly challenging. The college route allows more time to ease into the new culture and prepare you better to handle the grind of minor league baseball, if you’re lucky enough to get that opportunity.”

He added, “These guys can compete, no doubt, but they need to transition into the new culture and the longer season.”

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/15/sports/baseball/dj-suonandajie-china-mlb-draft.html