Report: Phillies Accuse College Player Of Rules Violations
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The Phillies accused one of their draft picks of hiring an agent, and that player's college career is now in limbo, according to a report.
Baseball America reports that the Phillies accused fifth round pick, pitcher Ben Wetzler, of hiring an agent to help him in his negotiations with the team. This accusation, which reportedly happened in November, means that the NCAA will have to rule whether Wetzler is able to play for Oregon State this year.
"Several sources have confirmed to Baseball America that the Phillies, who drafted Wetzler in the fifth round last June but did not sign him, told the NCAA in November that Wetzler violated the NCAA's "no agent" rule," Aaron Fitt of Baseball America writes. "That rule is widely disregarded by baseball prospects, whose advisers routinely negotiate with teams on players' behalf, against NCAA rules—because that is the industry norm."
Fitt also writes that Phillies director of scouting Marti Wolever declined to comment.
Wetzler will wait for the NCAA to rule on his eligibility for his senior season.