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Hi all, my first post on here.  Sorry if it is long....

Love the site and all the valuable feedback!  My son is a 2020 and just starting the process.  He has played travel since pretty young and is a good ball player.  One of those players every coach wants and does everything well.  Plays every position, starts in center and pitches.  Every coach travel or high school hits him lead off.  Generally leads the team in batting average and extra base hits from the lead-off spot.  He can flat out hit, does not swing at bad pitches and is an excellent defensive player with good speed. If the team is in a tough spot, he is the pitcher they bring in and he performs.  

He is not a physical phenom and we TOTALLY GET that recruiting is about numbers.  From a numbers perspective he runs just under 7 seconds and is at 80 from a throwing velocity and exit velocity perspective.  Still growing and getting stronger.  Not at a place yet where we are really looking to get any kind of offer and we know if does not get stronger he won't get any bigger offers or maybe none at all.  We are very realistic.

Very good student and a top ranked academic high school and wants to be a Dr. if (and probably when) his baseball dreams die.  

My son views his possible college baseball career in one of two ways.  If he gets strong enough and a good academic school at any level (D1, D3, IVY) wants him for baseball he will go that path if not he has a dream school. 

His Mom and I went there (and many other family members) and it is arguably the best baseball program in the US. Most years in the college world series. HUGE D1 program and not a place my son is likely to get a scholarship for baseball and we don't care about a scholarship.    

So, my question is about walk-on and admissions.  If he goes to the schools baseball camp and builds a relationship and tells them all he wants is a walk-on chance, preferred or not. No money. Do D1 coaches push applications through for walk-ons?  He has probably a 75% chance of getting in on his own academically but if baseball can push his application through and he just has a chance to walk-on he would be happy with that.  

 

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I'll just be honest....I don't know what school you're speaking of, but you've limited it to a half dozen or so.  Your son is a 2020.  Unfortunately those types of schools are already recruiting 2020's and the numbers you've mentioned aren't the numbers they are looking for.  The sub 7.0 isn't enough to be considered for an OF spot....and the 80 mph velos are both at least 10 mph too slow to even get him a serious look.  If he likes the school and can get in, he'll have a decision to make.  School or baseball.  Keep in mind that they kids they are recruiting as 2020's are already kids who could likely step in and play at other D1's right now....and they also have 2 years to grow and get stronger.  Again, not trying to seem harsh, just throwing out what we experienced.  As a soph in HS, my son was the same kid you're talking about....All State SS and starting P....unfortunately he was small.  He knew he had no shot at a school like you're suggesting at least for baseball.  He did grow....graduated HS at 6', 165....hitting 90 from the mound fairly regularly....but it was too late to be noticed by the big boys...and by then he had already found a school that "fit" him perfectly.  He's been there 3 years...and loves it.

Last thing....going to school to be a doctor....and playing baseball typically isn't a situation that's going to turn out well.  It's just far too much work on both parts to fit into a 7-day week.  Again, not trying to ruin dreams....but having a baseball dream and a doctor dream may end up being unreachable on both counts.

Welcome! 

From my experience with my son we found out that D1 baseball and STEM are generally incompatible. Ivy's, Stanford, and a few others excluded.  Being a pitcher makes it much easier in the case of STEM also. There is tons of info on the Ivy's here so just search a little. 

He has plenty of time for D3's and I would start to focus there. Congrats on a good student he will get a lot more money from academic scholarships than he ever would from baseball. 

Best of luck in your search.

So much I want to say but I'll try to answer your specific question.  No, D1 coach is not going to push an application through for a true walk-on.  The coach, to whatever extent he has ability to help get a player accepted, will use that ability with the players he sees as most likely to be impact players for his program.   

Welcome to the site and good job on your 1st post.

To answer your question, Yes . Baseball Head Coach has pull with admissions. And just to clarify ; a 'preferred walk on' is a guaranteed roster spot thru the spring. Not thru the fall.

It sounds like your son has high aspirations beyond baseball. As BOF pointed out , NCAA baseball is far more demanding on a students day to day schedule than most can imagine. Very hard and impossible to fully comprehend until your son experiences it.

For recruiting exposure , A high academic kid does well at Stanford Camp and headfirst camps.

Lastly, as was pointed out earlier , 2020 recruiting class with power 5 schools and other top programs done or close. Also, unless your son projects for the 2020 MLB draft, those are not great schools to target in the recruiting process. Even if you a only seeking a walk on spot , the odds are slim. And if you could secure such a spot, your son shouldn't expect much playing time if any at all the first few years.

It's extremely hard to participate daily in an NCAA program and sit for 2 years. Most players can't do it and end up quitting baseball.

Lastly, a little unsolicited advice: Try to remember that you or your son never pick the school....THEY pick you. So, the whole idea is to be seen by as many schools as possible. Cast a WIDE NET.  And forget D1, D2 and D3. None of that matters . It's about finding the right fit academically , socially , financially and with baseball.

 

Last edited by StrainedOblique
cabbagedad posted:

So much I want to say but I'll try to answer your specific question.  No, D1 coach is not going to push an application through for a true walk-on.  The coach, to whatever extent he has ability to help get a player accepted, will use that ability with the players he sees as most likely to be impact players for his program.   

Thank! Would be interested in your other feedback as well.

cabbagedad posted:

So much I want to say but I'll try to answer your specific question.  No, D1 coach is not going to push an application through for a true walk-on.  The coach, to whatever extent he has ability to help get a player accepted, will use that ability with the players he sees as most likely to be impact players for his program.   

I agree .....But they do push for preferred walk on academic money guys. Big difference between walk on and preferred walk on

Sounds like a great player.  I think you're getting good advice above on whether or not he's right for his dream school and what the chances are for walking on.    If that is not an option, what's next? Other D1's?  Patriot League?  High academic D3's?  A kid can definitely play at a high-academic D3 and go on to a professional school, including medicine.  There are a many, many threads here about D3 schools and D3 recruiting and a bunch of parents here who have been through it and have kids who are playing or are recent grads of wonderful D3 colleges and universities.  We'll be happy to help as best we can.

StrainedOblique posted:
cabbagedad posted:

So much I want to say but I'll try to answer your specific question.  No, D1 coach is not going to push an application through for a true walk-on.  The coach, to whatever extent he has ability to help get a player accepted, will use that ability with the players he sees as most likely to be impact players for his program.   

I agree .....But they do push for preferred walk on academic money guys. Big difference between walk on and preferred walk on

Bingo

No! Don't Call Bunt! posted:
cabbagedad posted:

So much I want to say but I'll try to answer your specific question.  No, D1 coach is not going to push an application through for a true walk-on.  The coach, to whatever extent he has ability to help get a player accepted, will use that ability with the players he sees as most likely to be impact players for his program.   

Thank! Would be interested in your other feedback as well.

You said...

"If he goes to the schools baseball camp and builds a relationship and tells them all he wants is a walk-on chance, preferred or not."

There are many past threads regarding walk-ons.  Your son should read up and make himself familiar with the realities.  A true walk on has very close to zero chance of sticking with a program such as what you describe in any scenario.  His current skill set measurables don't help at that level.  I'm not ruling out the possibility that he will grow into something closer to making the dream happen but trying to introduce the actual likelihood.

If, when the time comes, he asks for a walk-on chance, preferred or not, the best case scenario is likely that he get that chance as not preferred.  The only point to which I will slightly vary from Strainedoblique (a great person to follow here) is the discussion point about preferred walk-on.  Just a matter of terminology though... I have seen walk-on players receive promise of remaining thru the fall (at least preferred to an extent) and others promised a roster spot.  So, preferred can mean different things.  A true walk-on can and will likely be cut at any point, even after the first day of fall practice.

Depending on your son's willingness to give up baseball immediately after HS, I would really investigate further (which you are obviously doing here! ) before nudging him more toward the walk-on.  Try to remove the attachment you and your wife have to the school, at least while helping him navigate the baseball path.  I suspect he will have other much more solid baseball opportunities if he can find the right combination with his career direction.

 

Gov posted:
StrainedOblique posted:
cabbagedad posted:

So much I want to say but I'll try to answer your specific question.  No, D1 coach is not going to push an application through for a true walk-on.  The coach, to whatever extent he has ability to help get a player accepted, will use that ability with the players he sees as most likely to be impact players for his program.   

I agree .....But they do push for preferred walk on academic money guys. Big difference between walk on and preferred walk on

Bingo

Yeah, agreed... that's why I stated "true walk-on".  I took some liberty with that assumption matching up the OP's current described skill set with the stature of the program they describe.  

Welcome.

Yes, a preferred walk-on can get help from a Coach with Admission.  There is a 2019 poster here whos' son is going through that with an elite baseball powerhouse.   It can be done, however the recruit has to have a tremendous upside and some bankable skills to get that opportunity.  Essentially, the coach is putting some skin in the game to help with Admissions and roll the dice that kid will take the opportunity, run with it, and produce.

A true walk-on is not going to get that help with Admissions.  The coach has no skin in the game.  Some elite programs don't even have tryouts so walking on is not an option.

Thanks all, this is very helpful feedback.  We are trying to not be locked into anything and just see what happens.  If he can play baseball and be a starter that is great. If baseball can help him get into a little better of a school and he barely plays that is ok also.  He can always switch gears and just focus on classes if baseball does not work out.  

Just fun to play as long as possible!  

 

No! Don't Call Bunt! posted:

Thanks all, this is very helpful feedback.  We are trying to not be locked into anything and just see what happens.  If he can play baseball and be a starter that is great. If baseball can help him get into a little better of a school and he barely plays that is ok also.  He can always switch gears and just focus on classes if baseball does not work out.  

Just fun to play as long as possible!  

You have received some good info/advice and I agree that players without athletic scholarship but guaranteed roster spot are more likely to receive help with admissions process. I like your last response because I really believe that it is too early to lock into one school and/or attend camps and speak with coaches about walking on. Once again, I am going to disagree with anyone that says that the best programs in the country are done with 2020's or have a short list that precludes any other 2020 that is not already on said list. I will use Vandy as an example. They have 23 players committed to class of 2018 but only 10 committed for 2020. My son was a late blooming RHP. He did not have any offers until late summer before senior year but just signed this week to play baseball for Power 5 program.

I would recommend that your son stick with his goals regardless of what others may think. Teach him to focus on the process, not the outcome. No one knows how he will develop physically or where he will fit in when all is said and done. Best of luck to your son!!!!

coachld posted:
No! Don't Call Bunt! posted:

Thanks all, this is very helpful feedback.  We are trying to not be locked into anything and just see what happens.  If he can play baseball and be a starter that is great. If baseball can help him get into a little better of a school and he barely plays that is ok also.  He can always switch gears and just focus on classes if baseball does not work out.  

Just fun to play as long as possible!  

You have received some good info/advice and I agree that players without athletic scholarship but guaranteed roster spot are more likely to receive help with admissions process. I like your last response because I really believe that it is too early to lock into one school and/or attend camps and speak with coaches about walking on. Once again, I am going to disagree with anyone that says that the best programs in the country are done with 2020's or have a short list that precludes any other 2020 that is not already on said list. I will use Vandy as an example. They have 23 players committed to class of 2018 but only 10 committed for 2020. My son was a late blooming RHP. He did not have any offers until late summer before senior year but just signed this week to play baseball for Power 5 program.

I would recommend that your son stick with his goals regardless of what others may think. Teach him to focus on the process, not the outcome. No one knows how he will develop physically or where he will fit in when all is said and done. Best of luck to your son!!!!

Congrats to your son, that is awesome!  And, I completely agree with you about 2020's.  If a kid blooms in his senior year to throw 90+ and exit velo at 90+ many schools will find a spot.  College baseball is a business.  

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