Two days after the Minnesota Twins drafted him, the biggest question for Kyle Heyne is whether he'll sign a contract.
Heyne did not sign with an agent prior to the draft, giving him the option to return to Ball State University for his senior season. Unlike athletes who are selected in the NFL and NBA drafts, Heyne can choose to decline the Twins' contract offer and return to Ball State for his final year of eligibility without any NCAA sanctions.
Heyne said his decision to join the Twins or return to college will be based on the contract Minnesota offers him. However, he added negotiations with the organization have not yet begun.
"I don't know yet, I haven't talked to the [Twins]," Heyne said. "[The scout] didn't know anything contract-wise yet. They drafted a lot of pitchers ahead of me and they are going to take care of them first."
Heyne has the choice to return to Ball State because he has not hired an agent. That decision keeps the door open for his return, but also forces Heyne to handle his own contract negotiations.
"I had a guy contact me but I'm not really going to be getting paid that much," Heyne said, noting he was selected in the 27th round with the 842nd pick. "I'm not dealing with a lot of dollars, so I don't really need an agent."
Heyne redshirted his first year at Ball State. In the three seasons since then, he compiled a 10-8 record and 24 saves with a 2.31 ERA. He worked 102 innings, striking out 95 batters in 73 appearances. With Heyne on the team Ball State has had one losing season and two winning seasons, including a MAC championship in his sophomore year. Heyne's 24 saves ties him with Ron Schrock for the Ball State career record.
In his junior season, Heyne won five games and saved ten others, thus helping to account for 75 percent of Ball State's 20 wins.
"That says volumes of what he means to our team," Coach Greg Beals said. "He is an integral part of our baseball team. He is that accountable guy for us to finish ball games."
Heyne said he was contacted by a Minnesota scout a couple weeks before the draft.
"He said he was looking to pick me up," Heyne said. "He [also] told me if he was going to select me he wanted to make it worth my while."
Despite being told the Twins were interested in him, Heyne said he still didn't know he was selected until he saw his name on the draft tracker.
"I saw my name and about 30 seconds after that happened the scout gave me a call," Heyne said.
Though it could mean losing his closer, Beals said he was glad to see Heyne get drafted.
"It's a great honor to be drafted," Beals said. "He did a good job for us in our program here at Ball State. We are really hoping he comes back to school."
If Heyne returns to Ball State, he will help anchor an experienced roster. The Cardinals will return seven of nine hitters and nine of 13 pitchers.
Heyne's importance to the Cardinals' baseball team prompted Beals to offer him a full-ride scholarship for his senior season. The scholarship could prove to be a valuable bargaining chip when Heyne has contract negotiations with the Twins.
"I'm going to try to use that as some leverage to get more money out of them if possible," Heyne said.
While there is no monetary figure set, Heyne said he has a good idea of how much he wants in his signing bonus, which is the guaranteed money in a player's contract.
"I want at least $25,000," Heyne said. "I would like to get more if I can but its all about how much they are willing to give. I have to talk to my parents more. It's a scary decision."
If Heyne goes pro he will most likely be sent to either the Twins' rookie-league team in Ft. Myers, Fla. or their rookie-league team in Elizabethtown, Tenn. No matter where Heyne ends up, he said it would be a giant leap toward fulfilling a dream.
"It has always been my dream to play professionally so if everything's right and its right there then I am halfway to my dream, my goal," Heyne said. "If it works out that way, then I am going to have to take that."
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