I don’t know about you, but I really had no clue how this Major League Baseball draft thing really worked.

Here I was thinking these guys sat around nervously waiting to hear who picked them and when, but I had no idea.

The unique thing about the baseball draft is the options that players have on draft day, particularly the high school players. Most of them are already inked on for a college scholarship somewhere if the professional deal does not materialize the way they want it.

Once they go to a four-year school, the pro step is delayed for three years, so there is a significant decision to be made when the offers start flying.

A week ago Tyler Kuresa was walking across the stage to graduate from Oakmont High School, and on Tuesday, he was talking to professional baseball teams about his financial future.

The 6-foot-4, 190 pound first baseman was selected in the 11th round of the Major League Baseball draft Tuesday afternoon, chosen by the Minnesota Twins.

“The Twins told me they had me high on their board,” Kuresa said. “I am really happy to have been selected by Minnesota. They have a great player development reputation and a great organization.”

Whether the former Viking will ever play for Minnesota remains to be seen. Since he was selected in the 11th round, the salary slotting that exists for early rounds does not apply, but due to his existing option of playing baseball at the University of Oregon, signability may be an issue.

“I have raised my price (to the Major League teams) a little bit over the last few weeks,” Kuresa said. “I am becoming more and more excited to play for Oregon.”

The Ducks have offered Kuresa a scholarship that is very close to a full ride.

There were other teams who called during the early rounds, but because of the Oregon factor, no one move on Kuresa until the Twins pounced in round 11.

“We may not have a final decision until August,” Kuresa said, “but we will start discussions in about a week. I am happy it is the Twins because I know they liked me all along. As it stands now, we are in a position where we can negotiate and see what happens.”

Once a player goes to class at the college of his choice, the drafting team loses his rights and when he is attending a four-year school, he can not be drafted again until three years from now.

I have known Tyler Kuresa and his family for many years, since his brother and my oldest son became friends as freshman soccer and baseball players at Oakmont 10 years ago. No one has worked harder than Tyler and he is now beginning to reap the rewards of his diligence. Here’s hoping that his run of success goes on for a very long time.

--kurtj@goldcountrymedia.com