Chatfield’s Christian Foutch may face agonizing decision — plus four more locals to watch in MLB draft

In less than two weeks, Christian Foutch could face an agonizing decision: Turn pro, or head to the University of Arkansas on a Division I baseball scholarship.

Like many prospects in Foutch’s position, that decision hinges on where the recently graduated Chatfield star is picked in the 2022 MLB draft that runs July 17-19 in Los Angeles, and how much he’s offered in a signing bonus.

Foutch, a 6-foot-3 right-hander, is Colorado’s top-rated high school pitching prospect in this year’s draft and one of only a handful of local players in the mix to be picked.

“I’m pretty confident that I get could my name called, but for me, it will be a question of whether it’s worth giving up the experience at Arkansas,” Foutch said. “My dream has always been to be a professional baseball player, but my dream has also been to play in Omaha, win a College World Series, go (that path).

“It’s hard because one person tells you one thing (about your draft projection) and another person tells you another thing, so I’ve got to just put myself on an island right now, and just think what about what I really want to do.”

Foutch is not alone in weighing the variables now at play in the MLB draft for non-premium talent, i.e. picks beyond the first few rounds. For one, there’s now the potential for players such as Foutch to make money through Name, Image and Likeness deals while playing at a powerhouse college program like Arkansas.

Plus, Foutch and others will be considering how the truncated draft continues to affect back-channel negotiations since it was cut from its traditional 40 rounds a few years ago. After the 2020 pandemic draft was just five rounds, this year’s draft will again be 20 rounds, same as last year. And just like last year, teams will again be trying to get bargains in the final five rounds, where only 37.2% of the deals from 2021 paid bonuses at slot value or above.

That means college players have more incentive to accept an under-slot bonus in the later rounds, especially juniors who know whatever under-market amount they agree to this year will certainly be more than the $20,000 maximum signing bonus afforded to undrafted college seniors, who typically have little leverage.

So, for now, Foutch is mulling it over and waiting, while also working to build his frame and strengthen his legs.

“The biggest focus for me right now is getting into my lower half more, (strengthening) my legs and just being able to throw that third pitch very consistently,” Foutch said. “A lot of people have told me that when I throw, it looks like I’m not trying (with my whole body) and that it’s all arm. Once I get those legs under me, the hope is I can pitch even more consistently.”

Foutch was 2-0 with a 2.31 ERA in eight starts for Chatfield this spring. His arsenal features a mid-90s fastball plus a splitter (80-85 mph) and slider (75-80). The splitter is his go-to pitch while he’s still developing his slider.

Local draft prospects

A look at four other Colorado high school players who may hear their names called in the 2022 MLB draft. 

Dallas Macias, Regis Jesuit. The shortstop and Oregon State commit racked up awards following a dominant senior season in which the 6-foot, 190-pounder hit .557 with 16 doubles, seven homers and 28 RBIs. He was named the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year and also the Freddie Steinmark Award winner.

Reese Chapman, Grandview. The outfielder and Tennessee commit is a left-handed hitter with a lot of pure power potential in his swing, plus raw speed and a natural sense for running down balls in the gap. He hit .462 with four homers and 30 RBIs as a senior and played in the USA Baseball High School All-American Game alongside Foutch at Coors Field last summer.

Tucker Moore, Douglas County. The catcher and Missouri commit is a switch-hitter, and posted a .326 average with five homers and 26 RBIs as a senior. He helped propel Douglas County to the Class 5A state tournament for the first time in 22 years. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder is a plus defender with a good arm (1.85-pop time) and the ability to block and control runners on the bases.

Dylan Carey, Ponderosa. The shortstop and Nebraska commit was the centerpiece of the Mustangs’ back-to-back Class 4A title teams. He finished tied for the state lead with 13 homers with plus-plus power potential from the right side. Carey was his classification’s state player of the year and is atop, or near the top, of every local prospect rankings for the Class of 2022.

Locals in the Show

A look at the players with Colorado ties who have appeared in the majors this year.

LHP Ty Blach (Regis Jesuit/Rockies); INF David Bote (Faith Christian/Cubs); RHP Ryan Burr (Highlands Ranch/White Sox); LHP Kyle Freeland (Thomas Jefferson/Rockies); RHP Kevin Gausman (Grandview/Blue Jays); LHP Lucas Gilbreath (Legacy/Rockies); LHP Marco Gonzales (Rocky Mountain/Mariners); RHP Griffin Jax (Cherry Creek/Air Force/Twins); RHP Pierce Johnson (Faith Christian/Padres); OF Bligh Madris (Colorado Mesa/Pirates); RHP Mark Melancon (Golden/Diamondbacks); RHP David Peterson (Regis Jesuit/Mets); LHP Taylor Rogers (Chatfield/Padres); RHP Tyler Rogers (Chatfield/Giants); RHP Sergio Romo (Colorado Mesa/Blue Jays); RHP Steven Wilson (Dakota Ridge/Padres).