Everything to Know About Baseball Agents

Antonelli Baseball is the #1 online resource for baseball instruction. We breakdown the mechanical aspects of hitting, fielding, throwing, and base running to make them easy to understand and actionable. We also cover the mental side of baseball and offer college baseball recruiting advice. We delve into the details that you will not find anywhere else.
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[@claycheney8757]

Great info! Son just drafted out of college. New to the entire process.

[@danielherrera8412]

How is the dugout like when a pitcher is throwing a no hitter/ perfect game

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Usually very quiet nobody brings it up. Thanks for watching!!

[@mikeedwards2637]

I’ve just come across these videos and Matt , I think it is SO awesome that you actually reply to people’s comments !!! Hope you are doing well !!!

[@kv2723]

"Hey, buddy...How's college...you got a girlfriend...what's goin' on?" 😂😂😂😂 Matt cracks me up!

[@bryh.8772]

calling it now you are going to get big on KZbin

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Thanks I hope so! Thanks for watching!!

[@georgeruiz5336]

U called it

[@wes2473]

Prefect timing I’m about to sign an agent and a shoe deal tomorrow

[@kilo-watt]

A guy a grew up with was drafted around your same pick a few years before you, Joe Blanton. He's had a nice career as a pitcher.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@ajdougherty1472]

Lol, I got a Scott Boras autograph. He was at Camden yds. During BP.... he signed my Davis ticket 😂 ironic

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Haha nice!! Thanks for watching!!

[@justinaltman6065]

As a HS/college player, you mentioned that the agent is deemed an "advisor". How does the payment work in that situation? I assume you have to pay for their services, but if you're paying them, they're your agent. Thanks!

[@kramman78]

Thanks for doing this Matt.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Thanks for watching!!

[@TheDarthpaully]

How are there 5 👎? Thanks for another fun video. Always fascinating to hear about life in the bigs...

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Thank you!!! Thanks for watching and commenting!!

[@jake93436]

Season ticket holder for a AAA team, can you do a video of what the difference is from someone who is being optioned, sent for assignment, rehab, placed on waivers. I see and hear so many guys go from AAA to MLB but what's it mean I'd someone is on assignment ?

[@NickPoeschek]

Just wait long enough and then John Kent from 989 Sports Management will call you up offering to represent you.

[@theburnetts]

What about if you are like a 20th round draft pick? Are agents still recruiting you then? Or is it harder to find an agent then?

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Usually it's the higher picks and then top prospects. Thanks for watching!!

[@brady13001]

Did you ever play on the Dodgers with a kid named Jake Chaplin? First baseman?

[@b45licey]

Can you make a video on guys that stride towards the plate like altuve and the benefits and disadvantages of it

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Good question!! I'll try to put something together for you. Thanks for watching!!

[@rockabillylaker]

Loving these vids. Good info to prepare IN CASE my son is serious as he gets older. He's only 6 and there's many years to go until high school but, this is ALL he wants to do, all the time.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Thanks and good luck to him!! Thanks for watching our stuff and commenting!

[@iamkurgan1126]

Cape Cod and Alaska leagues. The best!

[@Davinhomx]

Panini and Topps make so much money with cards it is crazy. Would be highly interested in what thed pay a prospect for his 1st bowman auto series???

[@jonathanfrost9491]

How do you get college exposure

[@nicol9114]

very interesting, thx. love it

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Thanks!!! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@mattplasse1984]

What are some fun baseball side games you have played? Thing like pepper and pickle. I know pickle is a little kids game but do the pros or college guys still play some pepper?

[@ExposClassics94]

Matt Plasse oh man I hate how dead pepper has become, I still play it with my teammates

[@ajdougherty1472]

Matt Plasse pepper is fuuuuuunn

[@AntonelliBaseball]

When I played with Padres they made minor leaguers play it everyday in spring training. Thanks for watching!!

[@jturnblad]

I have a 6 year old son that loves baseball. How or what would you do, outside of playing with his team, to teach him?

[@ev512]

I think ur a mind reader sir... Another great vid man

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Thanks!!! Thanks for watching!!

[@brabhamfreaman166]

Ev You’re way off: he's a baseball player. Srsly, watch the whole video - there's a ton of clues dropped and not a hint of fortune teller.

[@bouseski]

Great videos Matt! What are the differences in content quality of the videoboards throughout each level of baseball? I ask because I do the videoboard for the Single A short season Vermont Lake Monsters, who are affiliated with the A's, and I want to turn this into a career.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Huge differences. Some are awesome and some are really old. Just depends where you are playing. Thanks for watching!!

[@jaxxer6228]

I love your vids keep up the great work

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Thanks a bunch!!! Thanks for watching!!

[@samuelkawer]

What percentage does your agent make

[@robertbratchie6878]

What is your opinion on legion baseball?

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Some are good and some not so much. I made a video on it a few days ago about travel ball. Thanks for watching!!

[@sluggerboy8933]

wat was your slot value??🤔

[@AntonelliBaseball]

1.575.000. Thanks for watching!!

[@mickeyfrancese4775]

Have you seen the baseball movie "Summer Catch"? Got Freddie Prinze Jr, Matthew Lillard, Brittany Murphy, about life as a ball player in the Cape Cod League. Just wondering if it's close to realistic?

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Yes definitely seen it! Can't say it's very realistic, but there are a few things that I guess are close. Thanks for watching our stuff and commenting!

[@eswitz98]

Hey Matt I have a batting question for you. As a baseball fan but not a player, more often than not, I see batters never very rarely swinging at the first pitch and taking a strike. Is this a batting strategy just to get a feel for the pitcher?

[@Dreadlock1227]

Ethan Switzer usually guys are looking for a certain pitch with less than two strikes. Like if I'm looking for a fastball in, and the pitcher starts me off with a fastball away or a slider or something, even if it's a strike I'm gonna take it because I'm waiting to see if I get the pitch I'm looking for. Now obviously if there's two strikes, that kind of goes out the window and you have to just swing at anything over the plate. And part of it is also like you said, just getting a feel for the pitcher. But for the most part they're just looking for a certain pitch Sorry I know I'm not Matt but hopefully that helps answer your question haha

[@eswitz98]

Corey Liddil No worries thank you that is very helpful! As a fan who watched games everyday, it's always great to hear insite from the players. Thanks for the answer I appreciate it!

[@jasonwatson2316]

Ethan Switzer another reason players take a strike is to build the pitchers total count. By doing this it automatically could add 27 pitches if he goes all 9.

[@ajdougherty1472]

Ethan Switzer you must not watch the Orioles 😂

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Check out our timing video that I just threw up. I go into a little bit of detail on there. Thanks for watching!!

[@sirvegag]

You didn't cover how, how much and when Agents are paid (and not paid). I would love to know. As well is it easy switching agents?

[@AntonelliBaseball]

They usually get between 3-4% of signing bonus and when you sign a new mlb contract. And it's easy you can switch whenever you want. Thanks for watching!!

[@Kyleandkateeastman]

How much money did you get over your career?

[@AntonelliBaseball]

I don't know the exact amount, but I believe you can look it up online. Thanks for watching!!

[@bostonsportsfan1995]

I recently saw that I have your 2009 topps rookie card. It said that you were 1 when Maddux made his debut. Lol the first time I saw one of your videos I thought I recognized that name

[@everythingsoccer9360]

Owen Sklansky bcc

[@bostonsportsfan1995]

Landon Bice ?

[@everythingsoccer9360]

Owen Sklansky I was scrolling through comments and accidently hit that then it typed bcc and posted it my bad

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Awesome!!! Thanks for watching!!

[@ryanpeters167]

I like the new opening but the old one was good too

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Thanks!!! Thanks for watching!!

[@ryanpeters167]

Your videos are great! I actually remember playing ps3 MLB The Show and seeing your name in it. Im sorry i never traded for you ;P

[@allisontallantmcculley1047]

This is interesting because I want to be a sports agent...working on my undergrad in sports admin and then going to law school (hopefully Ohio State because their sports law program is top 20).

[@AntonelliBaseball]

That is great! Good luck to you and have fun! Thanks for watching and commenting!!

[@cafelate9515]

How much does agents charge?

[@RolandDeschain1]

I think their commission is usually around 3-4%. Although I hear that if they bring you an endoresment deal they can take 10-15% of those.

[@Mike-cy5jg]

What was your biggest endorsement deal?

[@jhouston1703]

How big is getting to Super Regionals / Omaha as a College Player?

[@hockeyalley1]

How much % do they take? In pro hockey they take 4-6%.

[@loganjackson675]

Quick follow up: Would it be an agent’s job to contact the organization if an athlete had problems with his treatment? For example, an unwanted position change or something? I always assumed they would like I’ve heard they do in other sports, but I was just wondering if that’s common in baseball too. Especially at the minor league level. Thanks!

[@johnjohnsonjohn]

No, that's (team) manager duty

[@loganjackson675]

@@johnjohnsonjohn not sure I understand your comment. I realize that a manager and team make the baseball decisions on playing time, positioning, lineup, etc. I was asking in the case of a player having a disagreement with this, would their agent act as a liaison between the organization and the player in the same way as they would with other disagreements, such as contract disputes, potential trades, etc. Obviously at the MiLB level, this would primarily be only available to high priority talent with more leverage than your average minor leaguer. It’s obvious that some players leave organizations due to these disagreements, I’m more so wondering if agents actually communicate these things at a higher level within organizations or if the onus is generally on the player to discuss this within the locker room with the coaching staff until it is time to decide on a new contract

[@TheStevehuff]

Do agents only work with players in one sport? Or do they work with players in multiple sports?

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Some agencies have multiple sports, but usually they have different agents handling each sport. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@marydave2447]

I heard that mudd is rubbed on pro baseballs before all games and its a special mudd is it true

[@ucfpiloto]

Do u mind answering what you guys do during rain delays??

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Sure thing I'll make a video for you! Thanks for watching!!

[@mickeyfrancese4775]

Is there a P.O. Box where your fans can send a ball for an autograph, or send you a shirt or gear etc?

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Send to New England Premier Sportsplex, 199 Newbury St. Danvers, MA. Thanks for watching our stuff and commenting!

[@stevedeboutte6649]

What if you decided to go to college and for go MLB and you're playing in D1 college. Butnow the agents are not around. should I be worried now entering my sophomore year

[@AntonelliBaseball]

If you are a player worthy of having an agent they should find you. Thank you for watching!!

[@pork123100]

After you got released for good did you keep agent or did you owe him any money?

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Nope no money. That was just the end lol

[@krawj]

Do you have any guys that play Antonelli baseball but don't live in Massachusetts?

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Yes but they are all from neighboring states. Thanks for watching!!

[@ssimpson3288]

For minor league ball players do their agents take smaller commissions because they don't make as much or is there a set value they have to pay?

[@AntonelliBaseball]

They take nothing from minor league players. Just from signing bonus and mlb contract. Thanks for watching!!

[@layner3123]

Troy silva is in serious talks with me about switching from mens fastpitch to play baseball in college please let me know if u can help me, im 21

[@huntersyverson1780]

Layne O'Halloran, I don’t know you personally, but I just read your comment and your situation is really cool to me. That’s pretty awesome if you’re getting talked to about playing in college. I wish you nothing but the best.

[@connormiller6297]

Who are your favorite current player and?

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Right now I don't even know if I have a favorite player. I like most of them. My favorite all time is Manny Ramirez. Thanks for watching!!

[@23home]

What do the agents get out of it? Do they take a percentage of your contract or what?

[@23home]

never mind, I found the answers earlier in the comments.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Yeah usually 3-4%

[@travisnix594]

what's the average commission for an agent? and is the commission higher for endorsements

[@AntonelliBaseball]

3-4% typically. Thanks for watching!!

[@Swoop187OG187]

When I got drafted I thought it was a joke...... I seriously didn't believe it until I had solid proof ...... When I got the promo package from the club that drafted me several weeks later and the contract and all that shit it finally set in ........ Yea I had talked to scouts but I just thought coach wanted me to meet some people...... I was like "hey hows it going" nothing formal at all.... Perhaps that was their tactic all along? IDK...... But it was my coach that called me on a 3-way phone call and informed me and I thought the guys were just screwing with me ....... I got a couple of calls from agents but I was not interested in playing A league baseball - dude I'm barely 5'7 ....... I played baseball for fun, and you want me to play with dudes that are 6'3 200+ lbs??? and take fastballs from crazy ass pitchers for $1,000 a month while I damn well know I wont last a month even in A ball??? No thinks.......... It was flattering but I'm not stupid - especially when I had a job opportunity to work in the family business at $2,500 a month at 18..... And yes I could have played college ball (and I did go to college) but I made up my mind at 17 what I had to do........ Besides, hockey was my #1 sport - sure I was better at baseball but hockey was my "thing" at the time so......... Had I been drafted by an NHL team I would have seriously gone to play in the minors....... But that isn't possible at 18 in the United States, because there is no where to assign a high school hockey player........ Besides I wasn't good enough for that - actually I wasn't big enough TBH....... But yea, thanks for the videos man - you address questions I have always wondered.....

[@Jermster_91]

When you said small agency company, I think of Jerry McGuire and how he was always there.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Yes exactly!! Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@ajdougherty1472]

Do you really need an agent when you get drafted and in the minors?

[@AntonelliBaseball]

I don't think you really need one, but most do have them. There have been guys that don't use them. Thanks for watching!!

[@LouT1501]

Can you talk about how much the agent got for representing you?

[@AntonelliBaseball]

4% of my signing bonus. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@johnplatta5941]

Matt do u have to pay the agent

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Yes typically like 4%. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@anthonyraineri5190]

It's all about relationships. Agent's and player's

[@ballhawkjim5009]

Do you still have any agent

[@AntonelliBaseball]

I don't need one now. Thanks for watching!!

[@elgmac73]

the deals you signed after the Padres were minor league deals?

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Yes minor league deals. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@CRCSPORTS]

meeting with agents during college was allowed? only reason I ask is because in football if you make contact with an agent they will make you ineligible same in basketball

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Yes you can meet, they just can't pay for anything. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@CRCSPORTS]

Antonelli Baseball thanks for replying I've been addicted to your videos since I found your channel I'm glad someone who played pro ball finally figured out there is great demand for inside info on the day to day of the league and finally we are getting our fix lol keep up the great work!!

[@nigelcoppes]

Do you think your career would have been better or worse if you wouldn't have gone to college?

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Really tough to say! Thanks for watching!!

[@NovaScotiaNewfie]

I guess it's the Massachusetts accent. I heard car deal not card deal :) .

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Haha yes definitely the accent! Thanks for watching!!!

[@evloski7822]

Please fly me out to tryout for ur travel team love ur travel organization

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Haha I wish we could do that! Thanks for watching!!

[@brabhamfreaman166]

Was Jerry Maguire too busy? Showing my age...

[@dancalkins97]

He called, but Jerry was jumping on Oprah’s couch.

[@layner3123]

I NEED AN AGENT RIGHT NOW

[@23home]

you don't need an agent to go to college.

[@janis317]

Umm your not supposed to have an agent when your in college, Football players have lost eligibility for signing with an agent.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

They are called advisors. Thanks for watching our stuff and commenting!!

[@damngmail]

Matt, at some point you should mention that MLB draft is 40 rounds long over three days and you were taken 1st round 17th pick overall. It would give you and your channel more WOW factor.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Hey thanks I'll have to do that!!! Thanks for watching!

[@damngmail]

@@AntonelliBaseball You know good and well I will keep watching your vids. I love your real baseball life candor and honesty. The true stuff you give about what really happens as a top competitive ball player is truly refreshing. Very few guys who played at your level are willing to be up front about their experiences. All the best to you and family. Take care bro.

[@layner3123]

I need ur advice man i simply dont know what to do please help me man

[@Preston-fz6on]

1st no joke

[@thomaswhittington5677]

1

[@thomaswhittington5677]

Do they video about blisters

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Will do!

[@huntersyverson1780]

Every MLB sports agents motto ever: “You’re a pro baseball player and you’re too stupid to think for yourself so I think you should hire me because I’m the only one who knows how much you are worth to an MLB team.”

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Haha

[@huntersyverson1780]

Antonelli Baseball, no disrespect to you for having had an agent, but that’s just the way they seem to me.

[@jsmooth8713]

Can you send me a signed ball or gloves?

[@Sean-jb5gi]

Having an agent or even talking to agents in college if you played basketball or football is a big Fing deal. Even getting free things like meals from agents can get you suspensions.

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Yes same in baseball you can't sign anything with them, they can't give you anything until you sign a contract. Thanks for watching!!

[@scottlink183]

Did you say, “show me ‘da $$!”

[@layner3123]

Im legit dude

[@midge4845]

First

[@victorramirez1007]

Thanks for savings the Dodgers $$

[@AntonelliBaseball]

Your welcome!!! Thanks for watching!!

[@tylerbaillie4309]

1st lol

[@johnpetrie3743]

It seems like everyone wasted a lot of time with u. It’s almost depressing to hear your stories. Sounds like agents spent a lot of time and resources for u with all these one year minor league deals telling teams u might be good some day. Then u have all the teams that thought u were going to be good some day paying for all your rehab and paying for u to play. Sounds like I are every baseball teams/agents/GMs and everyone else involved biggest night mare.