Texas1836 posted:This is an informative thread. If there are updates from folks who have gone (especially to HF or PG Academic) in the past 1-1/2 years, please post.
Son is young 2020 MIF - finally growing and getting stronger. Pretty good contact hitter with some power; good hands and footwork, though not outstanding. Goes to a rigorous HS.
There is HF in Jupiter the first weekend of November and PG Fall Academic Showcase Oct 14-15. We could go to both (PG showcase is during fall break) but would like to get any additional insight.
Too early for a Sophomore to attend high academic camps such as HF or Showball Camp. The PG Fall Academic could be the best option as a sophomore. Your son would be able to get a PG grade and a big showcase experience both at the same time.
CAUTION: At the PG Academic, if your son doesn't have any measurable that stands out, he'll get an average grade and likely not be noticed. If he made some exceptional plays in the games and was nominated as a "top prospect" he'd get on the "radar", and he'd get invites to other PG top events. And getting an average grade at PG is fine, because that could be where he is, and as he grows and improves his skill set he'll likely get a higher grade when he returns to a PG Showcase. This will document improvement. BUT, if he doesn't really have anything to showcase yet is this a worthwhile investment? Maybe deploy the dollars toward dedicated strength/speed programs and improving his bat, glove and throwing motion in the off season. He has the next 6-7 months to get in beast mode, then play spring HS ball and attend the PG Spring Academic with something more to show???
The PG Academic Showcase doesn't list colleges attending. It's a broader base of strong academic schools, to include power conference academics and Harvard types.
Early in the high academic recruiting cycle they're looking at Pitchers first, and those that have measurables worth noting and are projectable.
Suggest: get his club coaches or an instructor to measure his exit velo, throwing velo from the IF or OF, and his 60 time. Compare those to last years PG Fall Academic sophomores workout results. What were the measurables, write ups and grades of the Top Prospects? Great info out there to help guide your decision.
Also, if money no object, I would still follow suggestions above, because your sons grade will now be in the public domain to be referenced by colleges. Figure the measurables out before you commit to any showcase or camp this early in the high academic recruiting.
(in a rush to get this out, so apologies in advance for any grammar faults)