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Freshman centerfielder Jacob Hannemann was selected by the Chicago Cubs with the 2nd pick of the 3rd round (75th overall) in Major League Baseball's 2013 amateur draft. He could receive a bonus of more than $700,000.
For some close observers of the draft, this was a higher spot than expected. Hannemann had been ranked No. 214 overall by Baseball America, the premiere amateur baseball scouting publication. ESPN's prospect expert Keith Law did not rank Hannemann in his top 100.
Obviously the Cubs and their scouts disagreed. The Cubs stated before the draft, as many teams do, that they would take the top player with each pick according to their draft board, so the Cubs had him a lot higher than other independent scouts and prognosticators. The Cubs had Hannemann in for a private workout before the draft. Through the draft's 7th round, the Cubs had selected two position players and five pitchers, all out of the collegiate ranks.
Hannemann had an excellent freshman season, winning WCC freshman of the year honors and was also named a Louisville Slugger Freshman All American. In 51 games this season Hannemann hit .344 with 5 home runs, 29 RBIs and 14 stolen bases in 15 attempts. He had a .415 OBP and slugged .553. Scouts say he plays excellent outfield defense.
Besides being a star baseball player, he was also slated to be on the football team as a defensive back (his scholarship was actually for football). Jason Franckuk wrote yesterday that Hannemann is unlikely to play football for the Cougars. His leaving the football program seems like a given with how high he was drafted, and his father Howard Hannemann has indicated that his son will not return to play football.
This leaves the Cougars even shallower in the defensive backfield than they already were. Though he was unlikely to start in 2013 after missing spring practice, his speed and athleticism could have earned him playing time, and he was needed as depth against injury or ineffectiveness.
Hannemann was drafted out of high school before his mission by the Kansas City Royals in the 46th round and was offered a $125,000 bonus. He elected to go on a mission instead. Per MLB's bonus slotting system, Hannemann could receive a bonus as large as $736,000. Since he has his football career and remaining college eligibility as leverage, Hannemann could get most if not all of that bonus slot.