Jackson Lamb turns down 3rd-round MLB draft offer—now Michigan-bound
BedfordNow.com reports that Michigan baseball signee Jackson Lamb turned down a third-round MLB draft offer and will likely become a Wolverine, rather than turning pro.
[Steve] Lamb [Jackson's father] said the family came up with a monetary figure that it would take for Jackson to turn down his Michigan scholarship.
"They didn't quite reach it," Mr. Lamb said.
Lamb may still be picked in a later round, but he'll be unlikely to sign. So far, through late in round 7, his name hasn't been called.
This is great news for the Michigan baseball program.
In the meantime, Michael O'Neill was picked late in the 3rd round by the Yankees with pick #103. A fitting development as he's the nephew of Paul O'Neill.
EDIT: Based on the tweet I posted in a reply, he's definitely coming to Michigan!
And for the Wolverines
in a world where ego and $$$ seem to drive every decision, I can tell you his choice was based on value not 'money'. The VALUE of a Michigan baseball scholarship and maturity vs. 'life changing' money came down to just that. I can't say I blame the kid, if MLB comes at you and says, 'here is what we will pay you' you have to listen. But certainly don't have to accept if you feel college, maturity, growth, and strength will enhance your opportunity regardless of baseball. Glad to see this, I'm sure he was a little dissapointed, but in the end, it will be in his best interest. He needs to put on about 20 pounds of muscle once his body has kicked into high gear.
Here's confirmation from the source:
U of M here I come!
— Jackson lamb (@jlambo32) June 7, 2013
The Mich Coaching Staff will give Lamb him the shepherding he needs. Welcome Jack.
Great news! Looking forward to seeing him and Michigan baseball do big things next year!
Wow! That makes me excited that Michigan already has a third rounder on the team and he hasn't even played an inning of college baseball yet.
Potential to be our best pitcher since Putnam. Though Evan HIll might have something to say about it.
Will be interesting to see if he is in the rotation as a starter or if he plays center field with the possiblity of a role as a closer as well (which I've read is possible). He's a hell of a hitter and outfielder. Great kid and good for him and his family for doing their homework.
Patrick Biondi was selected by the Mets in the ninth round with the 266th pick overall. Here's an mgoblue.com release: O'Neill, Biondi Picked on Day Two of MLB Draft
Michigan has now had a player picked in the draft in 15 of the last 16 seasons. O'Neill becomes the highest draft pick for the Wolverines since Ryan LaMarre went in the second round (62nd pick) to the Cincinnati Reds in 2010. It is also the first time since 2010 where two Wolverines were drafted in the top 10 rounds.
O'Neill was the first Big Ten player selected in this year's draft.
but that seems like great news for Bakich's program. I imagine a 3rd rounder in the Big Ten equates to a pretty great player
Another Michigan signee who had been the subject of some draft buzz was Johnny Slater. He apparently turned down an MLB offer today as well:
Johnny Slater (OF, Southfield-Lathrup HS) turns down offer from MLB team.Looks like he too is going to Michigan
— PBRMichigan (@PBRMichigan) June 8, 2013
Another interesting note is that it appears that O'Neill came close to returning for his senior season, at least according to a Snyder article in the Freep:
There was a moment Thursday night when Michael O’Neill thought his perfect scenario was gone forever.
Michigan’s junior centerfielder spoke to a New York Yankees scout during the second round of the Major League Baseball draft and was asked to take money below his slot to be picked that high. He hesitated and the Yankees went another direction.
This was his favorite team, the one he grew up watching because his uncle Paul O’Neill was a Yankees star on the late 1990s championship rosters.
He even went so far as to tell U-M coach Erik Bakich that if he wasn’t selected in Friday’s third round, he would return to school for his senior year.
After Friday’s result, that all becomes an entertaining footnote.
The Yankees selected O'Neill with the third-to-last pick of the third round.
Michigan signees selected on the third day of the draft:
- Jackson Lamb: 20th round; overall pick #610; Texas Rangers
- Johnny Slater: 31st round; overall pick #943; Atlanta Braves
- Ramsey Romano: 35th round; overall pick #1,038; Chicago Cubs
- Harrison Wenson: 38th round; overall pick #1,146; Detroit Tigers.