Decision time looms for Logan Schmidt.
The second round selection of the Cleveland Guardians has until 4 p.m. central time on Monday to ink a deal professionally. If he doesn’t, he’ll have to determine whether he’ll honor his LSU commitment or chose the junior college route.
All three options are still on the table.
Communication between LSU and Schmidt has ramped up over the last week, according to a source. That wasn’t the case leading up to the draft as the strong indication was that Schmidt would bypass college. Cleveland’s offer has changed the circumstances.
LSU’s pitch is a track that Paul Skenes, Kade Anderson, Anthony Eyanson and Gage Jump have used. All four signed for more than the $1.7 million Cleveland can offer Schmidt and have skyrocketed through their respective minor league systems. Skenes and Jump have enjoyed early MLB success, too.
The primary hurdle for LSU is convincing a player who didn’t have strong intentions of enrolling in college that he’ll now spend three years there. That can feel like an eternity for someone who just turned 18 on Thursday.
To sign with Cleveland, Schmidt will have to take a physical beforehand. That would be done in Goodyear, Ariz., at the Guardians spring training facility. That’s a quick flight for a California resident. However, a source has confirmed to LouisianaSports.net that hasn’t happened yet.
Schmidt would add a physical left-handed presence and a ton of strikes to the Tiger pitching staff.
The only decision that must be made by Monday afternoon is the professional option. If Schmidt refuses to sign Cleveland’s offer, he would have time to weigh junior college and LSU without that deadline for a couple of weeks.
A decision could come at any time.
