"MLB teams turn into professional stalkers" - Former Detroit Tigers first-round draftee makes shocking MLB draft revelations
The draft is one of the most anticipated events on the MLB calendar. For high school and college prospects, it’s potentially life-changing.
Someone who is very familiar with the ins and outs of the draft process is retired right-hander Jacob Turner. Back in 2009, Turner was a first-round draft pick for the Detroit Tigers.
By the time he was 18, Turner had compiled a 23-5 high school record. He threw a one-hit, 18-strikeout gem and also made it to the United States under-18 team.
I was one of the highest-paid high school draftees in MLB history at $5,500,000. ⚾
I signed at 18, big-league debut at 20, and was hanging on to my career by 25.
Here are 10 things you don’t hear about the draft, signing for millions, and professional sports. THREAD 🧵 https://t.co/8JmwgSraev
Turner was drafted for $5.5 million, making him one of the costliest high schoolers in MLB history. It wasn’t surprising at the time, given that he was considered to be one of the brightest young talents on the American baseball circuit.
However, there is so much more than what meets the eye. Turner, who is now retired and works as a wealth advisor, revealed multiple aspects of the MLB draft and his experience surrounding the same.
Turner was the ninth overall pick in 2009. Apparently, he was told the day before that he wasn’t being drafted at all.
1. YOU ARE FLYING BLIND 🚨
The MLB draft is like Houdini’s black box. You never know what is going to happen. Teams know everything, agents know pieces, and players know nothing.
I was the 9th pick and teams told me the day before the draft that I wouldn’t be drafted. https://t.co/5KcoWamhB0
Turner also revealed that ahead of his 2009 selection, he hadn’t disclosed any information to anyone outside his circle. However, that didn’t necessarily guarantee any privacy surrounding sensitive draft-related information.
2. NEED TO KNOW ONLY 🗣
Professional sports = business first.
MLB teams turn into professional stalkers. I spent months leading up to the draft telling no one outside of my inner circle anything of value. The ONLY thing guaranteed was my scholarship at UNC. https://t.co/cAQREVhdiq
If you think the story isn’t important, well, think again. According to Turner, a player’s story needs to be investable.
Everyone loves a rags-to-riches story or one of overcoming insurmountable odds.
3. LEVERAGE IS EVERYTHING 🎲
To get paid in the draft you MUST craft a story that exudes leverage. Teams negotiate on nostalgia, emotion, and a little boy’s dream coming true. To get paid ignore the noise and create leverage. https://t.co/OsYrUvAolZ
Turner said the euphoria of getting picked is short-lived. The 31-year-old shared a first-person account of the days that followed his selection. There was no red carpet waiting for him, only a concrete dorm.
4. THE RED CARPET LASTS TWO DAYS 🎉
Draft euphoria will last 48 hours.
Two days after signing, I arrived in Lakeland, FL to no fanfare and a concrete dorm. I went from high schooler to big leaguer (so I thought) to ball boy in the time it took my check to clear. https://t.co/qev1jXXCn5
Jacob Turner, once one of MLB’s brightest prospects, is now a financial guru
Jacob Turner spent seven seasons in the major leagues. He represented the Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox and Washington Nationals between 2011 and 2018.
Turner now helps people, especially young athletes, manage sudden wealth. Speaking on the subject of money, he said it changed everything and nothing for him. He believes money is important, but only when one has the right perspective.
5. MILLIONS OF DOLLARS CHANGES EVERYTHING AND NOTHING 💰
Professional athletes go from having barely enough money to buy @ChipotleTweets to being able to afford double meat and guacamole.
That changes everything. https://t.co/JbsqKEXEWp
It also changes nothing.
I signed for millions of dollars and got my first check for $1,200,000 in 30 days. I woke up on day 31 feeling the same. Money is a tool we all need in life but putting it in the proper perspective is key.
Staying on the subject of money, Turner shared an old payment invoice of his. The stub reflects the staggering percentage of taxes that athletes are required to pay. The numbers are just astonishing!
6. ATHLETES PAY A LOT OF TAX 🧾
There is no debate athletes certainly pay their fair share.
I paid roughly $2,000,000 to Uncle Sam from my bonus. The contract number shown is a mirage, cut that by 50% and you will find reality. Here is a stub from one bonus installment. 👇👇 https://t.co/999iVMmP2z
For young athletes who get drafted for astronomical figures, it’s easy to fall into the money trap. However, Turner was careful, and he is now passing on that wisdom to the next generation.
A paintball gun for a few grand, though? That’s an investment you can get away with, as weird as that may sound.
7. YEAR 1 MONEY TRAP 💸
Year 1 money is rolling in and your career will "never end."
I avoided expensive watches, cars, and houses. I didn't avoid all the things 18-year-old thinks are "cool". I spent a few grand on a paintball gun. Why? No Clue. It was fun though. https://t.co/tVM9CBeXoy
Turner also revealed the grueling minor league travel schedule. Needless to say, it’s anything but glamorous. It's quite hectic, to the point that it may make someone break.
8. TRAVEL GRIND ✈️
Baseball travel is nothing like the LIV golf jet. The minor league travel schedule is intense and features the worst flight times, long bus rides, and motel accommodations.
Here is my most intense travel day and the emotions that came after giving up 7 runs.
- Wake up at 4 AM
- Fly from Charlotte to Scraton
- Bus 2 hours to Syracuse
- Go straight to the field
- Give up 7 runs
- Contemplate my career over drinks postgame
May 24, 2016 5:35 PM @ Syracuse Chiefs
L 6-10 W: Paolo Espino L: Jacob Turner https://t.co/TK00EsUKFq
Lastly, Turner mentioned the obvious — life in MLB is cruel and ruthless. He recalled his demotion to AAA and cited that there has never been any place for emotions. All that matters is winning.
9. THERE ARE NO EMOTIONS 🤐
Imagine doing your job only to hear your boss trying to find a replacement.
My “no emotion” night came after struggling against my hometown team the St. Louis Cardinals. A few hours after celebrating my family being there, I was sent down to AAA. https://t.co/9EOEYVGhqz
10. WINNING TRUMPS EVERYTHING 💯
Professional sports are about producing. If you produce, you play and if you play you get paid. The fact is teams do not care “how you get it done” as long as you are “getting it done.”
The truth is winning on the field trumps everything. https://t.co/RJpOtDAS4q
The cut-throat nature of MLB has been well-documented over the decades. Yet, it’s fascinating to hear a first-person account from a retired professional.
Turner’s experience of the MLB draft also serves as a reminder that it can be a period of extreme distress for involved high school and college talents. After all, no one likes to have their privacy compromised.