Prospects Plus: Shooting themselves in the foot

After Mark Appel turned down the Pirates in 2012, they could have run to the NCAA and accused the Stanford pitcher of using an agent. But like any well run Major League Baseball team they took its medicine and moved on.

But last week, the Phillies decided to take the law into their own hands. Ben Wetzler, an Oregon State University senior pitcher and former Phillies draft pick, was suspended 11 games by the NCAA on Friday, three months after the Phillies reported him to college's governing body for violations. Wetzler, the NCAA said, used an agent who attended meetings with the Phillies and negotiated potential contract terms. The Phillies did not sign Wetzler, their fifth-round pick last June, and took the unusual step of reporting him.

So wait the Phillies reported a fifth rounder that didn't sign, while the Pirates kept their mouth shut about a top 10 pick deciding not to sign and return to Stanford.  A couple of years ago, the Phillies where considered a model orgainzation, now it just looks like they are the laughing stock.

Ben Wetzler, an Oregon State University senior pitcher and former Phillies draft pick, was suspended 11 games by the NCAA on Friday, three months after the Phillies reported him to college's governing body for violations.
Wetzler, the NCAA said, used an agent who attended meetings with the Phillies and negotiated potential contract terms. The Phillies did not sign Wetzler, their fifth-round pick last June, and took the unusual step of reporting him.

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/sports/phillies/Ben-Wetzler-suspended-11-games-Oregon-State-disappointed-in-Phillies.html#Bjwy5LBl86F5qpkb.99