The 2024 MLB Draft, held in Arlington, Texas from July 14-16, was a significant event for the families and friends of three standout players from the Temecula and Murrieta baseball community. Featuring 20 rounds as part of All-Star Week, the draft saw 615 high school and college players selected…among them were Braylon Doughty from Murrieta, and Ryan “Woody” Hadeen and Dylan Fien from Temecula.
Doughty, a pitcher who just graduated from Chaparral High School, was chosen in the first round by the Cleveland Guardians. Doughty was the 36th pick in the Competitive Balance Round A, right after their No. 1 overall pick, Travis Bazzana from Oregon State. Doughty’s slot value was worth $2.57 Million, and that’s indeed what he wound up signing for, making the newly made millionaire the highest paid draft pick from our area, ever.
In 2022 Menifee’s Mikey Romero was taken higher, with the 24th pick by the Boston Red Sox, but wound-up signing for below his slot value at $2.3 Million. Alas, both were taken out of high school and the difference of a couple of hundred thousand dollars means little in the baseball business world. Doughty’s rise is particularly noteworthy. Just a few years ago, he transitioned from being a catcher to a pitcher. He wrapped up his high school career with a 1.11 ERA in 50 1/3 innings, striking out 85 batters and walking only 10. Despite his commitment to Oklahoma State, the opportunity to join the Guardians was too good to pass up.
UC Irvine’s shortstop, Ryan “Woody” Hadeen, was selected by the Detroit Tigers with the 176th overall pick. Hadeen, a graduate of Temecula Valley High School (class of 2020), brings excellent contact skills, speed, and above-average defense to the field. Although he doesn’t offer much power, he is a switch-hitter with a knack for getting on base. The 22-year-old signed for $300K, slightly below his slot value of $354K.
“I can’t thank all my friends and family enough for the support through the years,” stated Hadeen at party held locally at Stadium Pizza in Redhawk. “I’m excited the Tigers took a chance on me and I can’t wait to get to work.”
Completing the trio, recent Great Oak High School graduate, Dylan Fien, was drafted by the Oakland A’s in the 7th round, 196th overall. The 18-year-old, known for his raw power from both sides of the plate, is particularly effective when hitting left-handed. Standing at 6’3” and weighing 210 lbs., Fien signed for $550K, well above his slot value, reflecting his decision to bypass college for a professional career.
“I knew after the fifth round that they wanted to draft me,” said Fien, speaking of the A’s. “I’m looking forward to getting to Arizona, where I will sign my contract and begin working with Athletics training staff.”
Former professional player Jacob Turner, a first-round pick in 2009, offered his insights on the financial aspects of the draft on social media. He emphasized the unique leverage high school players have, especially with the rise of NIL earning potential.
“The MLB draft reminds me of that famous line from Jerry Maguire, ‘Show me the money.’ Unlike other professional sports, the MLB draft is unique in that the top talent often doesn’t sign. High school players, in particular, carry significant leverage when they enter the draft committed to a top college.”
The decision to turn professional often hinges on whether the money is right. For Turner, over $7 million was life changing. The former big leaguer also provided a breakdown of minor league salaries in 2024, noting that earnings are modest during the time between signing bonuses and reaching the big leagues.
“Current salaries range from $19,800 at Rookie Ball to $35,800 at Triple-A,” he stated. “The probability of making it to the major leagues is approximately 66% for first-round picks, 50% for second-round picks, and below 20% for all other selections.”
Turner went on to explain that while signing bonuses may seem large and misleading, they are often subject to taxes, agent fees, and are paid out over time. He also underscores the importance of financial planning for young draftees.
“Players drafted at 18 can be controlled by their team for up to 11 years before reaching free agency,” he added.
Even though the 20-round MLB draft has concluded, many organizations continued to add college talent as nondrafted free agents (NDFAs). NDFAs can sign deals up to $125,000, a significant increase from the $20,000 limit in 2020 and 2021. This amount rose to $150,000 in 2023 before counting against a team’s bonus pool.
High school players selected in the draft often have more bargaining power due to their age. Once signed, these players report to their organization’s spring training complex in Arizona or Florida, where they undergo instructional workouts and play in intrasquad games.
A strong performance in the Arizona Complex League (ACL) or Florida Complex League (FCL) can set the stage for advancing to Single-A ball, the first step toward a professional career. In Single-A, players experience their first 140-game season, preparing them for a future in the big leagues.
Over the past couple of weeks, Hadeen reported to the Tigers’ Florida Complex, while Doughty and Fien headed to Arizona, where their teams’ Spring Training facilities are located. The goal for these players is to move up through the ranks of Single-A, High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A before making it to the majors. With substantial signing bonuses and promising futures, our local draft picks are poised to make significant impacts in their professional careers.
The 2024 MLB Draft has brought exciting opportunities for these young athletes, and the local community will be eagerly following their progress as they work towards fulfilling their professional baseball dreams. Good luck fellas, in all you do!
