>The younger kids have a higher bust factor because you simply >haven't had as much opportunity to evaluate them against >higher competition. Also some people get to caught up and >"potential" and "floors and ceilings" and ignore basic stuff >like "can this kid play? what is his work ethic like? how >mature is he? how mentally tough is he? how is he going to act >with 7-8 figures in his bank account living on his own?" > >You can get a lot better feel for those things at 20-21 than >you can at 17-18. Those first few years as an "adult" are a >huge growth period mentally for most young people.
Good point. Though I guess as long as I'm down this road I may as well add that these points work even better as arguments for a real minor league. The difference between 17/18 year olds and 20/21 year olds with those maturity issues isn't just a 0/1 matter of are they mature enough - but they can be taught those things. I bet a lot of owners/GMs would like the certainty of teaching those things within the organization.
Or not. Part of a big driver for me is just remembering how fucking stupid I was when I was 18 but also knowing that stupid didn't just dissolve away on a set schedule.
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"Walleye, a lot of things are going to go wrong in your life that technically aren't your fault. Always remember that this doesn't make you any less of an idiot"