By Katrina Grant
Negotiations came down to the wire, but, in the end, Seneca High School graduate Kevin Comer decided to sign with the Toronto Blue Jays. Comer will receive $1.65 million and money to cover college costs if he decides to attend college in the future. Comer did have a full scholarship to Vanderbilt University, where he wanted to study human organizational development.
“There was a lot of negotiations,” Comer said. “It really came down to what they were offering and if it was enough to pull me away from school. I wanted to play baseball either way.”
Final negotiations came down to the wire on Monday, Aug. 15, with Comer signing with just 10 minutes left till the midnight deadline. Comer, who now has an agent, and his father, Ernie, negotiated the deal.
“Sunday was the first day since draft day that they threw out a first real number,” Comer said. “On Monday, the last day, negotiations got heated and there was some real talking. There were a lot of back and forth phone calls. We parted ways a few times with him saying ‘Good luck in college’ and then calling back a few hours later. I signed within 10 minutes of the deadline.”
Comer is not sure of how the timeline for the contract will work, but on Aug. 19, he headed down to Clearwater, Fla. to start rookie ball.
“There is a real timeline that is set for me to work with,” Comer said. “I will probably do one year of rookie ball because I missed so much of practice.”
If Comer decides to return to college, he will receive $29,500 per semester to cover college costs. He will receive his $1.65 million bonus in two payments.
Comer has played baseball since he was 6 years old. He is 6 foot, 3 inches tall, and weighs 205 pounds. He is a right-handed pitcher whose pitch clocks in around 90 to 94 mph. Comer has a true passion for baseball and is very excited about playing for the Toronto Blue Jays.
“I am super excited,” Comer said. “I am a little nervous, because this will be completely different, but I’m very excited.”
