If you get drafted by the Phillies, you sign with the Phillies, or deal with the consequences.
The Phillies reported two players they drafted, but failed to sign, to the NCAA for hiring agents, according to a Baseball America report. Two pitchers, Oregon State’s Ben Wetzler and Washington State’s Jason Monda, are the players in question. Monda was cleared by the NCAA, but Wetzler, who turned down a $400,ooo signing bonus, is still under suspension.
Though it is technically against NCAA rules, it’s widely accepted in baseball that any player that gets drafted does hire an advisor to represent them in negotiations. Most major league teams follow this wink-wink protocol, but the Phillies could be the exception.
Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. declined comment on the NCAA investigation.