Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray
Channel: fly away
Date: 2018-06-04

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/2018-mlb-draft-silence-is-golden-for-kyler-murray-as-oklahoma-qb-has-a-decision-to-make/
Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray faces tough decision after 2018 MLB Draft

The 2018 MLB Draft starts Monday night at 7 p.m. ET on MLB Network. However, one of the most notable prospects in the draft won’t know his future until much later.

Oklahoma outfielder Kyler Murray is better known as record-setting quarterback for the Sooners. The redshirt sophomore finally has started to find his groove on a baseball field once again. Now, he faces a tough decision.

When football camp opens in August, Murray is the favorite to replace Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Baker Mayfield in Norman. Some observes expect MLB  teams could offer a seven-figure signing bonus to play baseball.

Scouts are somewhat torn on his ability. ESPN’s Keith Law rated Murray the No. 35 overall player in the 2018 MLB Draft class. Baseball America is somewhat more conservative, slotting him at No. 76.

“He’s so complicated as a player in a lot of respects,” Baseball America national writer Teddy Cahill told DieHards. “He’s been a really, really good player on the baseball field, but he’s done it without really concentrating on baseball. I don’t know if we really know what his full potential is.”

Murray was the first player ever to be selected to both the Under Armour All-America football and baseball games after standout careers in both sports at Allen (Texas) High School. While there, he also led the Eagles to three state football championships.

Some considered Murray one of the best physical prospects in the 2015 MLB Draft. However, he opted to go to Texas A&M and play baseball. After transferring to Oklahoma after his freshman year, Murray is putting the potential together.

He is hitting .296 with 10 homers, 47 RBIs and a .556 slugging percentage. The latter three numbers all rank second on the Sooners behind potential first-round teammate Steele Walker. The big season has come despite Murray missing 11 games.

Kyler Murray’s potential
Murray’s allure is obvious. Despite not playing the sport full time, he already has one elite tool and the skills potentially to become a five-tool prospect. His speed is among the best in college football, much less baseball.

Baseball arm strength and football arm strength aren’t necessarily the same, but Murray should have both. The fielding and hitting should come with experience, and Murray has shown flashes of good power.

Keep in mind, Murray accomplished all this without ever truly focusing on baseball.

“It’s supposed to hurt you, especially as a hitter,” Cahill said. “You’re supposed to need daily reps and live pitching. It’s supposed to be hard to take two years off, which he essentially did. It doesn’t seem to bother him much, but it’s hurting him on some level.”

Of course, any MLB team will have to deal with a plethora of unknowns if they draft Murray. If he’s not happy with the compensation package, he could refuse to sign and re-enter the draft next season. Playing especially well on the football field this fall then could make an NFL career possible.

Even if Murray slips to the third or fourth round of the MLB draft, he assuredly will demand more than third- or fourth-round money. Some reports say that a team might have to pay $3 million or more. And he’s being represented by agent Scott Boras, who has he reputation as driving a hard bargain for his clients.

“He’s not going to sign for slot regardless,” Cahill said. “You’re talking about buying him out from being the presumed starting quarterback at Oklahoma. You can arrange the contract so that he’d still be able to play, but it’s not like he’s only going to sign for a million dollars.”

There have been other players that have reached agreements to both play professional baseball and college football. Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson notably played during summers for affiliates of the Colorado Rockies. Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker also started for the Tigers one season after the Rockies selected him in the first round of the 2010 MLB Draft.

Murray could try to reach an agreement to still play at Oklahoma while working his way through the minor leagues. However, he’d have to find a receptive team.

Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley told reporters that he expects Murray to play college football for the Sooners this fall. Even if an MLB team drafts Murray early, this could remain true.

However, Murray’s future is almost certainly in baseball. We should learn more Monday night about whether his future starts now or later.

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