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PROVO, Utah — If a baseball player ever told you that he didn't want to play professional baseball, he'd by lying. From the time a young ballplayer steps on the field, all he ever dreams of is playing on the same stage as all of his heroes do for 162 games each year.
One local player, groomed in Alpine, Utah, has now seen a childhood dream come true. That player is BYU two-sport athlete Jacob Hannemann. He heard his name called Friday morning by the Chicago Cubs in the third round of this year's MLB draft as the 75th overall pick. It is a surprise to some to see a 22-year-old college freshman get drafted. It isn't everyday a player is selected after serving a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
When it came to a decision between going back to BYU or signing a contract with the Cubs, Hannemann made it seem like a simple decision. Luckily, he has the support of not only baseball coach Mike Littlewood, but also football coach Bronco Mendenhall. They both want what is best for Hannemann — even if that means they will both lose a key part of their programs. It isn't everyday you come across an athlete with the talent that Hannemann has, and the Cubs jumped on the chance to take this talented athlete.
“I was a little worried going into the second day, but now I'm relieved, happy and still on cloud nine," said Hannemann, who made it known that he will head straight into the minor leagues. “One-hundred percent going to sign. They are going to call me Monday and we will discuss the details.” Anyone talking to Hannemann could tell he seemed ecstatic about the opportunity.
Now he will need to be patient over the next little while as he works on signing his contract — and receiving the signing bonus that will accompany it. When baseball players are initially picked up in the draft, it is made known to them that they will have to live off the signing bonus they receive.
Hannemann could be looking at a large check coming his way because of where he was picked in the draft. Just last year, Bingham pitcher Brady Lail was taken in the 18th round and received $225,000 for his signing bonus — and up to $135,000 for school if baseball didn't work out. Hannemann will have a lot of leverage when it comes to his signing bonus because he still has three years of NCAA eligibility to bargain with. He reportedly could be looking at a bonus somewhere near $700,000.
What lies ahead for Hannemann is uncertain. As a high draft pick for the Cubs, he will be taken care of when it comes to a signing bonus and the treatment he will receive as one of the organization's newest and largest investments. He has all the tools necessary to become a big-time elite player, and his decision to forgo the rest of his college days is one of the best decisions he could have made.
As a 22-year-old freshman, his days of youth are limited when seen through the eyes of scouts and pro teams. He is an old freshman and organizations like investing their money in young athletes they can develop. But this choice will give him a great chance to develop and mature as he attempts to reach that ultimate goal, the one he's dreamed about: to become a major league player.
