TC,
No matter what side you take on this argument; it comes down to risk. That is why I wanted to know whether or not a 22 YO (over a 21 YO) will be drafted significantly lower. Since it comes down to risk; you need to include both rounds because by coming back someone could do worse (this is the risk). Obviously Bruce could get injured and his career may be over (at least delayed) by returning. His career may be over (at least delayed) in summer ball before he gets a contract.
I wanted to know, from day one, whether or not that risk was worth it. So if you told me a player's position could get much worse in the draft, even to the point of NOT being drafted, then I would see that significant difference. This would end any debate.
For the last 5 Years (2014-18): There have been 300 Picks in the Draft:
1. 21.3% of the players drafted have been 21 YOs v. 21.0% have been 22 YOs
2. The average draft position of a 21 YOs is 37.25 v. the average draft position of a 22 YOs is 39.52
3. There were (64) 21 YOs drafted v. (63) 22 YOs drafted
So over the last 5 years, there isn't much of a difference between 22 YOs v. 21 YOs.
Back to Bruce. We can all agree Bruce had a sub-par season. My question was and has always been, given Bruce had a sub-par season where he was injured and regressed, does it make sense to return? Is the risk too great?
1. Given that there is no significant difference in drafted position,
2. Given that there was almost the same amount of 21 YOs as 22 YOs drafted, and
3. Given that Bruce was injured, regressed and missed a bunch of games...
I don't think the risk was too great given that there isn't much of a difference in the above. The key thing, in addition to the above, is Bruce didn't play great. Bruce didn't work himself up into the first round this past draft. His play regressed and he was injured. Essentially, if Bruce was going to be a first round pick NOW, it was a lot on potential and not on actual play.
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We know that the average position of a drafted player isn't significant (in terms of the drop-off) so let's see the reward.
For the last 5 Years (2014-18): There have been 150 Picks in the First Round:
1. 16.0% of the players drafted in the first round have been 21 YOs v. 11.3% have been 22 YOs
2. There have been (24) 21 YOs are drafted in the first round v. (17) 22 YOs drafted in the first round
3. On average (4.8/year) 21 YOs are drafted in the first round v. (3.4/year) 22 YOs drafted in the first round.
*Not that it matters but there were (3) 23 YOs drafted in the first round during that time*
There is no doubt, that younger players make up the majority of the first round 70+% (18, 19 and 20 YOs). I would NEVER dispute that. In addition, the dramatic drop-off already occurred before Bruce started this past season. With that said, on average there are/is still a chance of making the first round after 20 (i.e. 21 and beyond). The question now is whether or not Bruce can be part of the 11.3% of players who are 22 and get drafted in the first round. That is up for debate.