Cincinnati Reds late-round selection looks to honor college commitment

The Cincinnati Reds selected Mason Neville out of Basic High School in Las Vegas during the 18th-round of the 2022 MLB Draft. But, unsurprisingly, it sounds like Neville will honor his college commitment to the University of Arkansas.

According to Fox 24 KNWA News, Neville informed Arkansas' head baseball Dave Van Horn that he would be in Fayetteville to play baseball for the Razorbacks next season.

It sounds as if the Reds made the selection knowing that it was highly unlikely that Neville would sign. According to the report, it was going to take first or second-round money in order to pry Neville away from his commitment to the Razorbacks.

Mason Neville looks to honor college commitment rather than sign with the Reds.

Mason Neville was a very highly-rated prospect. Coming in at No. 102 among all draft eligible prospects according to MLB Pipeline, the outlets actually compares Neville to former NL MVP Cody Bellinger. It's no wonder then why the Cincinnati Reds would take the gamble and maybe see if they could entice him to sign.

This is not a new concept. Many teams will take a flier on a high school talent with hopes that he'll see dollar signs and forgo his commitment to college. But if Neville is truly looking for a seven-figure bonus, it's doubtful the Cincinnati Reds will oblige.

The Reds will already have to go over-slot to sign Cam Collier whom they took in Round 1. Collier was expected to be a Top 10 pick, but much like Matt McLain in 2021, Collier fell into the Reds lap and Cincinnati swooped in and snagged the juco third baseman.

The 2022 MLB Draft concluded on Tuesday, and the trade season is likely to heat up. While it would be great to see the Cincinnati Reds add another top draft prospect to their talent pool, it appears as though it's not in the cards.