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The Nebraska Baseball team got some good news on Saturday, when both Luis Alvarado and Scott Schreiber decided to put off their Major League dreams for one more season. Alvarado who was a 13th round pick of the Seattle Mariners and Schreiber who was picked in the 26th round by the Tampa Bay Rays will give the Huskers a pair of key contributors back from their 2017 Big Ten Championship team.
While Jake Meyers did agree to terms with the Houston Astros, it is a bit of a surprise to see Alvarado back. Both Alvarado and Schreiber could be signed to a bonus of $125,000 before it counted against a teams draft pool. The Rays had extra room in their draft pool after not signing their supplemental first round pick Drew Rasmussen of Oregon State, but did not make an aggressive run at Schreiber.
Nebraska outfielder and leading hitter and Scott Schreiber tells me he's coming back for his senior baseball season. Story posting shortly.
— Evan Bland (@EvanBlandOWH) July 8, 2017
Top unsigned Mariner picks were Nebraska RH Luis Alvarado (13th round), El Camino C Trevor Casanova (14) & Miss. HS CF Myles Christian (18)
— Greg Johns (@GregJohnsMLB) July 7, 2017
With the return of Alvarado, the Huskers have the potential to have the top bullpen in the Big Ten. Chad Luensmann, Jake McSteen, Reece Eddins, Robbie Palkert, and Alvarado all return for the Huskers next season.
Add in that Alvarado is likely to take over for Meyers in center, and you have possibly the most valuable player outside of Meyers returning to the diamond.
While Alvarado returning is truly surprising, it was not a shock to see Schreiber come back for his senior season. If he could have turned pro after his sophomore year, he would have been a higher draft pick, but injury concerns and lack of power numbers hurt him this year. With a refined approach (not swinging at the first pitch in six straight at bats) next season could see Schreiber jump up on draft boards.
What this means for the Huskers is that they don’t have to rely on the relatively light recruiting class next year. Schreiber can slide into Ben Millers first base position, or continue playing a corner outfield spot. It also allows Luke Roskam to potentially got some starts at first, with Schreiber in the outfield. It gives Nebraska a safety blanket in a power threat in their lineup to hit behind Angelo Altavilla as well.