Baseball prospects are precious for MLB teams. They are nurtured and given the best facilities in order to grow into MLB-level players. In recent years, the international market has become extremely important. Many of the League’s top stars are foreign players. That is why many teams scout players, who are at a young age. But most recently, fans were horrified as a trainer exploited a 10-year-old and his family using $80,000.

Young baseball prospects have unpredictable futures, with a wide array of possible outcomes. But if they reach the MLB level, they are destined for wealth and fame. In this recent incident, a trainer is taking advantage of a 10-year-old prospect’s potential. 

Baseball trainer gives 10-YO prospects family $80,000 in exchange for 50% of his future signing bonus

Young talent is a massive resource for MLB teams. Furthermore, the search for this talent has expanded to international waters. Many youth prospects are getting signed by MLB teams and developed. Most recently, a baseball trainer looked to take advantage of that by paying a 10-year-old prospect’s family $80,000 for 50% of his future signing bonus. MLB insider Hector Gomez shared the story on Twitter. 

In a Tweet, Gomez said, “Trainer pays $80,000 for a 10-year-old Dominican prospect who would sign in 2029. The family would receive the money for giving up 50% of the signing bonus.” This has drawn negative reactions from fans and sports followers. Even Juan Soto’s father commented on the issue while replying to Gomez’s Instagram Post on the same issue. Soto himself was a top prospect and is now the subject of contract extension rumors worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Read More: 2-Year-Old Kid Floors Locals With Baseball Skills Worthy of the MLB

This is the dark side of international prospects. The money will help the Dominican prospects’ family, but they may have to give up much more in return if the 10-year-old reaches the professional level. Let’s have a look at how fans have reacted to the incident.

Fans are not happy with this incident

The reactions to this incident have been wholly negative. Fans are calling it exploitation and are generally upset.

Some fans called it exploitation.

Other fans were upset about the incident in general.

Watch This Story: From Black Betsy To Wonder Boy: Baseball’s Most Iconic Bats

What do you think about this incident and the deal that the trainer made with the family? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.