A few years ago, a kid could be drafted and if he attended a junior college/community college, he could be called a DFE. Draft, Follow, & Evaluate. He just had to sign before the next draft. Now the signing deadline is August 17th. MLB teams have two months to evaluate talent and reach an agreement to sign or else lose the right to those players. It now appears that the woodbat and summer college leagues are being used to be the place where further evaluation can take place before signing.
13th round pick Jake Goebbert is one example of how this strategy is being used. He had already committed to play in the Cape Cod League. He missed a fair amount of the season with a lacerated kidney. He sustained the injury hitting an outfield wall at a dead sprint in April at the Metrodome. He just was cleared to swing a bat three weeks ago. He will be followed by Astros’ scouts during his time playing for the Harwich (Ma.) Mariners. Then he will sign or can return to Northwestern for his senior season.