The Rockies signed first-rounder Kyle Parker to a $1.4MM bonus, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America (on Twitter). Parker, who quarterbacks Clemson's football team, will be allowed to play football, according to Tracy Ringolsby of FOX Sports (Twitter link). However, he signed for less money than he would have obtained for agreeing to focus on baseball.
WOW. They must be letting him play this football season then.
Yeah… he made the decision in July. Rockies couldn’t buy out his football eligibility so they went the route that they did with Russell Wilson (spread the signing bonus out over 5 years).
Kyle Parker is an idiot. Take less money and progress slower in baseball in order to play Clemson football? He’s borderline to even make a CFL team when he comes out. He should have focused 100% on baseball.
How does this work.. He has to continue in school to play FB for Clemson, so how is he going to play ML ball as well for the Rockies, or is he putting of his professional career until his collegiate one is over?
You can be a professional in one sport and an amateur in another. It happens from time to time.