MIAMI — It was more of a bootleg than a quarterback sneak. The Rockies always knew there was a possibility first-round pick Kyle Parker would return to Clemson to play football.
But his decision Wednesday could influence negotiations over the next month as the Rockies attempt to sign him before the Aug. 16 major-league deadline.
Parker, the 26th pick overall, had asked for a $3 million signing bonus to leave football, a sport the Rockies weren’t convinced he would continue pursuing on draft day. Parker promised Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney he will play this season regardless of what the Rockies offer. Colorado exceeded $2 million in its bid but couldn’t agree to terms after talks didn’t accelerate until the past few days.
“The only option I have ruled out is playing baseball exclusively for the Colorado Rockies right now. Negotiations will continue with the Rockies, but I will play football at Clemson this fall,” the slugging outfielder said in a statement. “The closer you get to football season, the more you think about playing in Death Valley, running down the hill and being a part of the Clemson football tradition.”
Parker created an artificial Wednesday deadline because the Clemson football program wanted to know his intentions.
As a redshirt freshman, Parker threw 20 touchdown passes last season for the Tigers. He also helped lead the baseball team to the College World Series. His 20 home runs made him the first Division I athlete to go 20-20 (TDs and home runs) in a school year.
Parker called Swinney on Wednesday morning to inform him of his decision.
“He had a real resolve in his voice. He said, ‘Let’s go play some football,’ ” Swinney said. “He just stuck to his guns and didn’t waver from what he thought it would take for him to walk away from football. I kind of challenged him. I said, ‘I need to know are you 100 percent committed to this.’ He said, ‘Coach, I’m not coming back to lose.’ That’s classic K.P.”
Slot money for the 26th pick is about $1.2 million. It will likely take more than that to get a deal done. But with Parker now playing football, the Rockies’ preference will be to spread out the signing bonus to protect themselves if Parker is injured.
