College potential

I don't think that it is so much the numbers but rather what skills you can display on the field and what you can accomplish in the classroom.

You should be beginning a training/conditioning program that is appropriate as a hitter/position player.

 

Hopefully someone will drop in and give you suggestions.

What kind of college ball did you want to play?  What are you doing to be seen by colleges?

Chaas ... High school baseball statistics might draw some attention. They're like a brochure. But they can be very misleading due to the nature of the competition in your league. A .300 hitter in a very competitive league may very well be a better potential college player than a .500 hitter in a not so competitive league. Ultimately it's your baseball fundamentals and skills that will be assessed by college scouts. They will assess if the way you play the game has the potential to compete at the collegiate level.

 

You do not have to make it happenstance that you are discovered for college baseball. You can make it happen. There are travel team events and individual showcases you can participate in to bring the attention to you. 

 

You have to decide what level of college you are potentially capable of playing (not the level you dream of playing). Then you find the right travel team that plays in the tournament events that draw college coaches from that level of competition. You can also participate in individual showcase events in front of the right coaches. 

 

There's more to it than this. I'm just trying to give you a general idea of how to make it work. In general, but not a rule if you're a D2 or D3 prospect show yourself after junior year. If you're a D1 prospect look at post soph year.  (I'm trying to give him a general idea. Please don't post all the exceptions)

High school statistics can be very misleading. Using my son's 2A Texas high school as an example, there was a guy who hit over .400 three times with 4 or 5 HRs each year who became an excellent college player because he also made excellent grades and had an all around game. Another guy the next year hit a school record 11 HRs and hit .530 and he had a lot of trouble finding any college at all that would take him because of below average grades and poor fielding and base running habits. Numbers alone do not determine who plays college ball. Truthfully, even the even the eventual college player would not have gotten a shot if he had depended on being found from high school games. He was "discovered" through travel ball and Perfect Game showcases.

Hi, Charley.

 

You've certainly come to the right place for answers to your questions! A few suggestions:

(1) Read all you can on this website, and you might begin with the Recruiting Timeline if you haven't already found it: http://www.hsbaseballweb.com/recruit_timeline.htm

(2) Be less concerned about high school statistics than working every day to make yourself better. To play college baseball, you'll need to be good enough to consider yourself among the best 10% of all high school players. Everyone in that segment will have great stats.

(3) Continue to take responsibility for your development as a player, your accomplishments in the classroom, and your recruitment. Your parents can't do it for you. The best players in the game are passionate about it, and they translate that passion into daily efforts to address all of those areas.

(4) Find a way to play with and against the best players you possibly can. Playing among the best makes everyone better...and attracts the attention of those whose job it is to identify the best.

 

Best wishes for your success!

Chaas98,

 

Welcome! FYI, when you signed up here and asked your question, you probably took a bigger step closer to playing baseball in college than if you’d increase your average by 50 points. The reason I say that is, in order to play college baseball, you got to be in college and get good enough grades to be eligible. That takes a level of mental maturity not a great many 15YOs have.

 

Now that you’re here and have asked your question, hopefully you’ll get lots of answers. Read them all and be sure to give them some thought, then weigh their value.

 

I’m gonna take what isn’t a very popular tack, but try to understand what I’m saying. Assuming you have the grades to get into college, in my experience, if you’re a starter on your HS varsity team, you’re good enough to play college baseball somewhere.

 

Before you get the wrong idea about that, you need to understand that just like HS, in college there are many many colleges, and many many different levels of play, and you have to consider things that way. There’s a difference if you’re barely starting in right field as a Sr for a very small school who doesn’t play many quality teams, and being a 4 year starting SS or pitcher for a HS with a very strong baseball program with a lot of competition just to make the roster.

 

 Hope you noticed that I didn’t once talk about specific numbers, and the reason is, the numbers are different depending on the situation. If you want some idea about what what a “good” average is, go to http://www.maxpreps.com/list/s...rsport=boys,baseball  and look around at the averages for each category. The higher on those lists you get, the more opportunities will open up for you.

 

Good luck!

While it's certainly true that there are many levels of college baseball played, I'm not sure that the suggestion that being good enough to start on one's varsity high school team is the sort of guideline we ought to be tossing out there to high school underclassmen. The undeniable fact is that a small minority of high school baseball players go on to play college baseball at any level.

There's a lot of good answers just given.  Read them carefully and try to put it all together as a summary of what everyone is saying.

 

Now, I'm kind of a numbers guy and feel numbers tell you something.  But, it's how well you interpret those numbers that might really tell you or anyone else anything about a player's ability or how a player might perform in the future.  

 

If there is any number for offence I feel you should look at and work on is the OPS number (On Base Percentage + Slugging).  For the most part, this number in a key one that tells how much a player contributes to the success of the player's team.  The more times you get on base and the more bases to get per hit the larger the OPS.  So, if you can produce an OPS above .700 and ideally above.800, then you're probably standing out as one of the top player's on the team.  Conversely, you can still be a stand out offensive player if you have a .500 OPS, but have hit 20 home runs.

 

At you're age, your body is just beginning to mature.  So you'll naturally be getting strong over the coming years.  Core strength along with arms and legs will help you gain more power.  Many high schools have physical trainers that can help players do what it takes to strengthen the areas needed for their objectives (like producing more hitting power). Weight room work in the pre-season would recommended.  And don't forget to work on running speed to as speed and add to your OPS by better you more bases than someone who's slower.  Playing other sports (e.g. basketball), even if it's non competitive, can also help you develop in a lot of ways towards being a better baseball player.

 

Try to find ways to play at the highest levels possible as that's where you are most likely to be seen.  And if you do consistently well at such levels, you shouldn't have a problem getting to play at some college level.

 

If you haven't already, you might check out some college rosters and player's bios to get some idea of what those players accomplished before getting to where they are.  

 

I which you the very VERY best.  

I don't know about your neck of the woods but here in GA Perfect Game ratings are specific numbers you can shoot for.  Not everyone goes to PG events and not everyone pays to get a PG grade.  However, there is a deep history there on ball players. 

My son also wanted numbers to look at, it's a math thing I guess, so he looked up players he knew of on perfect game.  The three local college catchers all have their pop times, 60 times, and throwing speed right there on the Internet for all to see, you just need to know the names.

I think PG is a great resource, but why not sneak a peek at some college baseball stats while you’re at it? I think you’ll see quite easily that there are a few clunkers mixed in with the great players that can be beat out for a roster spot.

 

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/data/college_stats.asp

 

http://www.dakstats.com/WebSyn...amp;division=NAIMBA1

 

http://www.cccbca.com/landing/index

 

I can think of PLENTY of HS varsity starters that in no way can play college baseball. MAYBE they can get on a D3 roster where they carry 50-60 players and field a JV team, but is that what someone really wants to do?  IMO and in my experience, there are plenty of HS varsity starters that are not good enough to play in college.

There are some real weak, terrible D3 conferences and teams. If a kid doesn't mind getting pummeled every game of his college baseball career there's probably a place for him somewhere. When my son was in high school we stopped to watch a local D3 game while biking. After two innings my son asked to leave. He said there wasn't a player on the field who could start for his high school. But these are exceptions rather than the norm. Our local JuCo also sucks. They have starters who were ordinary players in high school. They lose by an average of 10+ per game.

This almost HAS to be true -- simple numbers game.  There aren't enough spots to possibly absorb every HS senior who wants to and is eligible to  play at the next level.   Simple supply and demand says that lesser players will be weeded out.  

Years ago (before the  roster rules changed) many D1 programs would give many players books and a uni, and most of them knew they would never make the roster but they grew up always wanting to play for them. 

 

The roster rule changes for D1 have made it very difficult for most HS varsity player to play after HS. We are all aware that the roster limitations for D1 have had a trickle down affect.  I am sure that stats is aware of that fact.

 

Maybe in some very good, high profile HS programs many do get a chance to play after HS, but I think that the majority do not wish to pursue baseball after HS.

 

To the OP, its not as easy as some think it is. You have to be a special player to get the opportunity, not necessarily the best, but having a coach see something in you that he thinks will work for the team. Keep in mind that when coaches recruit, how you will fit into the TEAM is always the first consideration as to who gets a chance and who doesnt. 

 

Dont let anyone else tell you otherwise.

Not every varsity player (in fact most) is college ball material whether it be JUCO, NAIA, D2,D3 or D1.

 

There are college players who never make a V roster, that may be for a variety of different reasons,

 

Striving to make the HS varsity roster is very important, I agree.  But to make the OP think that once he makes the V roster he can play college baseball is not accurate.

 

I am not sure if you realize that what you said was interpreted that way, not just by Prepster.

 

My son played for a 2A team in South Texas where baseball was definitely the fourth ranked sport in their high school with even track and field ranked as more important. They had an 11-16 record his senior year and that team looked like the 1927 Yankees compared to what they have had the last two seasons. I guarantee you virtually every starter on these last two teams and all but about four on the 11-16 team couldn't play college ball in any way shape or form with starting pitchers who threw 67 MPH and guys who hit .185 to .260 with all singles and couldn't touch the pitchers in our league who threw 80 plus. It is foolish to make a blanket statement that any  player who makes the grades can play college baseball somewhere.

Hey Chaas98,

I wouldn't get too caught up in the numbers you put up this season as a sophomore, especially if you're playing JV.  If you truly want to play college baseball (any level), first you need to apply yourself in the classroom.  If you haven't done so already, schedule the PSAT.  If I recall, it's usually administered in November, talk to your school counselor.  Keep your grades up, I've seen some good ball players passed over due to poor grades.

You're an outfielder, so speed and/or power is what you should be working on to get on coaches/recruiters radar.  Plyometrics, strength & stability (especially core) should be a priority.  You should have a goal to run a sub 7.0 60, if speed is not your friend, then power (arm & bat) will help you tremendously. Get on a throwing program, you're at an age that arm strength will likely jump leaps & bounds if you work properly.

Lastly, you live in the Seattle area, so I assume there are some decent Summer teams that you can play for?  Find a team that number one will give you playing time, and number two that will give you proper exposure.  Also, once you feel that your skills are coming along well, sign up for a couple showcases to measure yourself against your peers.  Perfect Game would be a good start, but I'm sure there are others in your region.

Work Hard on the field, off the field, and especially in the classroom.  Good Luck!

That is the way I understood it and I think others as well.
Why are WE always wrong?

Stats, the problem is that your experience is isn't broad enough to have any validity to the general population.  So when you make a statement couched in terms like "in my experience" which is opposite of what the general population would view as reality you sound more like a politician than a knowledgeable baseball guy.  Point is that most people won't recall the part about "in my experience" and will just view it as HS Starter = college ball. 

In the Molina family's experience, pretty much anyone who breathes can become a major league catcher. 

Yes, that is true... but did they play HS varsity?

Moderator comment:

 

This thread was reported by several members as going off course and getting personal.

 

I just cleaned up the thread as best I could, pruning back most of the debate about whether a high school varsity starter can in fact play college ball somewhere, leaving its essence but taking out the parts about who is a snob, who is a fool, and who really meant what when they said what they said.

 

Some members may find one or more of their comments were deleted even though they said nothing offensive.  To these members, I apologize and ask them to please understand their posts were collateral damage as I tried to maintain coherence.

I think as some have pointed out we have to decide what it really means to 'play' college baseball.  I think if you are willing to throw out everything else when you consider a college other than baseball there is probably a weak d3 or juco out there somewhere for about anybody who really wants to just say they played.  And there is nothing wrong with that.  But if you mean play at a decent program then there is all sorts of info out there for you on what they are looking for.  But if you want number 'estimates' I tell my guys if you don't at least hit mid .400's you better have something else real compelling going for you.  Exit velocity over 90 is also almost a must.  And being an outfielder you need either real good speed or maybe that exit celocity might need to be more mid 90's to show power potential.  But these are not end all be all numbers just a guide.

A batting average above .300 is a good thing. Another way to think about it is to be in the top 3-5 for your league in batting average and some other offensive statistics. However, unless you are playing at a high school where colleges come to your games, your best bet to play college baseball is to do well at showcases or in tournaments. In the skills part of showcases, you will need to run the 60 yard dash (under 7 seconds for an outfielder), field balls cleanly, make strong, accurate throws, and have good swings in batting practice. You can't control whether you will get a hit in a showcase or any other game; instead, work on consistently having good at bats and good mechanics. Hitting with more power will come as you get stronger in your upper and lower body. Getting stronger will also help you run a fast 60 and make strong, accurate throws. Good luck!

Whoops - I forgot one of the most important things: get good grades and high ACT/SAT scores. The better your grades and scores, the more college options you will have. Study for and take the ACT/SAT at least once in your junior year. Take a couple of AP classes in your junior year. For most players, the prime time for being recruited is the summer between your junior and senior years, and coaches will ask you for your scores and transcripts.

I posted this in another thread and i thought it may be helpful here as well.

 

Many times we talk about the other levels, D2, D3, Juco, and NAIA. There are others levels as well, including Club, NCCAA, and USCAA.

 

Club

http://www.clubbaseball.org/

 

USCAA

http://www.theuscaa.com/sports/bsb/index

 

Some NCCAA schools are also NCAA schools but many are not.

http://www.thenccaa.org/index.aspx?path=baseball

 

Now this is not to say that tese additional levels are easy to play at but it is another option for someone who wants to continue to play. 

Hey all,
Thanks for all the tips! I noticed a lot of you asked about my speed and school gpa. I currently am running a 6.9 60 yard dash and have a 3.8 total highschool gpa.