Reply to "What's the benefits/risks with keeping a player back a school year?"

Facts:

1. There is more academic money available than athletic for college scholarships. 
2. Holding a gifted athlete back will create more collegiate athletic opportunities come his/her Sr year.
3. For draft potential prospects holding back could mean a huge difference in a signing bonus and getting started in an athletic career earlier.
4. The chances of making a living playing professional baseball are so small that it should not be taken into account except for a handful of players. 

This decision is so personal and there are so many variables that each family should consider them carefully.

My personal preference would be for academically gifted players; keep them on track as there will be both academic and baseball opportunities if they have the athletic skills. For immature and athletic kids, there are some real benefits to holding them back. For highly gifted athletic kids there are very tangible benefits to holding them back.  For the rest of the 80%, don't worry about it.