JACOB PALISCH is always amazed at Stanford teammate Brendan Beck's big league baseball knowledge.
"The rosters … that's what kills me," Palisch said. "He's like, 'Oh yeah, that guy came out of the bullpen for the Rays in 2006,' Or, 'You want to know the backup shortstop for the Orioles? I got that.'"
Someday their names may be answers to major league trivia questions, but their portal to the pros has gotten tougher because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Major League Baseball will drastically reduce its draft this year and bonuses to those undrafted will be almost nonexistent.
For Stanford players such as pitchers Beck and Palisch, and outfielder/shortstop Tim Tawa, it's a tough year to be a junior. For those who have come up through Stanford, junior year is their first year of eligibility for the First-Year Player Draft and the ideal time to go pro.
Once unlimited, the draft has lasted 40 rounds, plus compensatory picks, since 2012. In that time, 52 Stanford players were selected and signed, an average of six per year. Nine Cardinal were taken last year, ranging from outfielder Kyle Stowers in the second round to the Baltimore Orioles to Daniel Bakst in the 28th to the Boston Red Sox.
In response to financial shortfalls because of the pandemic, MLB will shorten this year's draft to five rounds, and likely will halve the 2021 draft to 20. A five-round draft, slated for undetermined dates in July, would save each team about $30 million.
Last year, all but six sixth-round picks signed for $200,000 or more, according to USA Today. This year, all undrafted players – including those who would have been in the sixth round -- are limited to a maximum signing bonus of $20,000.
Where does that leave Stanford's juniors?
"Since the situation is so unusual and so unprecedented, I'm just trying to control what I can control," Tawa said. "That means staying in shape, working hard, hitting when I can, fielding when I can. Just trying to do whatever is possible given the situation and limited resources to stay ready to play whenever the time is called."
Palisch and Tawa prefer to wait and see before making final decisions on their options. However, all three are on accelerated graduation tracts and could earn their undergraduate degrees next fall – Palisch in computer science, Tawa in communication, and Beck in science, technology, and society.
By staying, they could make progress toward a master's, something that was not realistic before this year.
"If I'm not drafted, I'll definitely be back to school," said Beck, a 6-foot-2 right-handed pitcher and Stanford's Friday starter. "The financial distinction alone, being able to be that much closer to a master's degree from Stanford, I think is worth a lot more than entering as an undrafted free agent. It's nice that decision is as black and white as it is."
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Jacob Palisch. Photo by Bob Drebin/ISIphotos.com.
PALISCH, A 6-4 left-hander, had not pitched this season because of a muscle issue in his back, but was scheduled to make his first appearance during the Pac-12-opening series against Cal on March 21-23. Stanford's season was called on March 12.
"That was a tough blow, that I didn't even get to go out there and compete once," Palisch said.
It also put him in a compromised position. Palisch needed to prove he was healthy. He's had some phone conversations with scouts, but video, even if it's at the neighborhood field near his home in Richardson, Texas, offers at least some visual evidence.
"The best way we can get that information to the scouts is to be posting on our own social media," Palisch said. "I can throw a bullpen and post it and scouts will see, he's throwing, he's healthy. It's not necessarily super official, but it's something."
Palisch was coming off a great summer in the Cape Cod League. In eight appearances (seven starts), including the playoffs and all-star game, Palisch went 5-1 with an ERA of 1.29.
"I wanted to show that it wasn't just a fluke," Palisch said. "The summer definitely gave me a good starting position, but it's another thing to do it for your school and your friends. I felt I had a lot to prove this year, especially in the starting role."
Palisch has been playing a lot of catch with his dad and brother, and as Texas has opened up somewhat, he's sometimes been able to find a mound and throw.
"As long as you've got a friend who's a catcher, you can usually get something going," he said.
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Brendan Beck. Photo by Bob Drebin/ISIphotos.com.
BECK'S SITUATION WAS a little different. He played mostly shortstop in high school and didn't pitch until his senior year at Corona (Calif.) High. Each year has been a big step forward in pitching development, from an extra arm on weekends to No. 1 starter.
This year, "I was a little more polished overall," Beck said. "The accuracy has always been there, but early on, a lot of my pitches were more to get people to make weak contact, as opposed to be really swing-and-miss pitches.
"Both my curveball and slider have both become more swing and miss, and that's made my changeup and fastball a lot better. Guys aren't necessarily sitting on those as much because they have to respect the other two pitches a little bit more."
As he grows stronger and more experienced, Beck's velocity continues to climb, and now is consistently 90-92.
Beck trains with his brother Tristan, a fourth-round pick out of Stanford by the Atlanta Braves last year and now with the San Francisco Giants organization. When not dodging walkers and kids on bikes, they play long toss on their street.
"Luckily, since we're both pretty far along in our baseball careers, we can play a decent catch without throwing the ball away too often or worrying about hitting cars," Beck said. "But if we had to get ready to pitch by a deadline, both of us would be able to do it."
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Tim Tawa. Photo by Bob Drebin/ISIphotos.com.
AT HOME IN West Linn, Oregon, Tawa has complemented his baseball training by experimenting in the kitchen, making honey roasted almonds and chocolate covered pineapples.
Tawa feels he still can improve as a player even with the limitations at hand, with an emphasis on strength and conditioning, and watching film.
He's followed a regimented workout plan that involves lifting, running, and eating healthy, chocolate-covered pineapples aside. His house is on a hill, so there are many hill sprints. In a basement, there are free weights and dumbbells. Tawa is focusing on more reps with lighter weights.
"Improvising," he said. "Just trying to do all I can to maximize my physical potential."
Tawa has connections to a batting cage that has allowed limited access and has joined with former high school and Stanford teammate Will Matthiessen, now with the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, to play catch at socially safe distances.
"It's been an interesting journey as far as staying in baseball shape, but I think I've done a reasonably good job, given the circumstances," Tawa said.
Swinging the bat in a cage has been Tawa's sanctuary, "a stress release," he said. "Just being able to enjoy doing something baseball related."
All three Stanford juniors said the option of going back to The Farm for a senior year, even if it means entering an even more crowded draft in 2021, gives them a luxury that most other prospects don't have.
"I had dreams of playing professional baseball after this year and it's obviously going to be a dream for me whether I'm drafted this year, drafted next year, or not drafted," Tawa said. "On the other hand, playing at Stanford has been a dream too. With either scenario, I feel like I'm not losing, because both are incredible opportunities."