Whats the reality of a 2018 player walking onto a D1 Team?

A mid major is unlikey to lose players to the draft. So roster spots are unlikely become available due to the draft. The larger programstend to over recruit and screw players if they don’t lose players to the draft. Sometimes a roster spot becomes available due to a player’s last minute decision not to return in the fall or an injury in summer ball. Assuming theres an available roster spot catchers probably have the second best chance to walk on after late blooming pitchers. But D1’s are limited to thirty-five roster spots. I wouldn't just show up.

I would keep working the coaching staff until the decision is made. A catcher may not be rostered. But he coukd be a bullpen catcher warming ip pitchers. I know of a kid who did this for two hears before being asked to join the team as a third catcher. He didn't play much. He wanted to be part of an ACC program. Personally i would rather get in the lineup at a lower level.

Since he was on a club team chances are he’s had his exposure and he was recruited to the right place. If baseball matters that much i would take the sure thing over the long shot. 

The coaching staff is not responding to his emails because its in season AND this week is signing period.

You might want to contact them after the dead period.

Reality is that players that are true walk ons usually should go play where they are really wanted by the coaching staff.

As others continue to say, unless your kid is a mega-stud with a real shot at playing professionally (and you'd probably already have a good sense of this if it were the case), if you can afford it, your son should go where he'd be the most happy if "baseball did not work out." Is club baseball an option? Of course, he should keep working the phones for the NCAA team of his dreams, but be realistic...

My 2017 catcher had plenty of D3 interest, but he wanted to go to a big school in a rural environment. He did awesome at the club team tryouts and scrimmage game, but got the "it was a tough choice but we're only taking one catcher and you aren't it" speech. I thought he'd take it really hard, but it took him like a week to enjoy life without constant baseball and he got into mountain biking, hiking, racquet ball, working out even more, etc. He loves it and is doing very well. Plus, he's all set to play on his summer, adult/wood bat team again.

If d1 is the goal, why not go juco for a year or 2 and try to get more interest with 2 more years of recruiting. If baseball is the dream, I couldn’t imagine being at a nice school but not playing.

I have very limited data, just from what son told me last year.  Son played at mid-D1 for 3 years.  During that time there were 6-8 walk-on.  None of them made it past the first cut.  I know of at least 2 of them who were "all-league" from high school.  A personal friend of ours has a son who wanted to go to a private D3 school.  School wanted him for baseball real bad.  Only problem is that even with academic money and some grants, parents would have to pony up around $30K/year, which was too expensive.  The son went to a mid-D1 as a preferred walk-on.  He made the team, pitched 2 innings in 2 games, end of story.  Following year HC made him redshirt.  Next year he was cut, finished out the semester, transferred to JC for a semester.  2017 transferred to a very competitive JUCO baseball program, has done so-so.  Now talks about going back east to lower D1 program for 2018/2019.  In my mind he is spending just as much, if not more, now than what it would have cost to go to the private D3.  Go to where you will get a good education and some baseball love that fits your son. 

Welcome to the site, Playball310.  Lots of variables going on there.  What is the HS team ranked in Calif?  Was there dialog with the D1 previously?  To what extent, if any, has the D1 been able to see him play?

I'd take a look at this season's roster at the D1.   If there are 3 catchers (or more) and more than one is younger than a junior I'd say your chances are probably pretty slim, as they likely already have another 2018 catcher already lined up....and adding a walk on isn't likely.  From what I've seen, most walk ons are utility type guys....2B, 3B and some OF....I'd think being a walk on catcher would be tough because it's such an important position that they likely have the guys they want coming in (or already there) as recruited/scholly players.  Someone mentioned that it's a busy week for coaches, but that doesn't keep them from responding to an email.  I'd try for a couple more weeks....and if you don't get a response, unfortunately I'm thinking the interest is gone.   D1's do have fall tryouts....but obviously your son would have already had to make the choice to move across the country and attend the school before that can happen.  He's in a tough spot.  Best of luck to him

Thanks everyone!

It is always good to get others insight to share with my son. I think he needs to write up the pros and cons for both situations and with this feedback, it should help him with this task. His ultimate goal is to work in Baseball one day. He knows he is not going to play in the MLB. He just wants to play as long as he can because he truly enjoys the sport.  He has two good choices, with academic money at both. I don't think he can go wrong.

Thanks!

Playball310,

So, I have a few thoughts, comments  and self assessment focused questions based on  the information you've shared.

Every D1 is different.  They are not all the same.  With that said, his overall walk-on chances are not good at most D1 schools based on the people I know, and information that has been shared here.   A D1 coach that has no skin in the game (whether it is $$ or support with Admission) is not going to be pre-disposed to giving your son a fair shake.....that is what I've learned over the years on HSBBWeb.   There are rare exceptions.

What does your son want to do when he graduates?  Have him look into his crystal ball 4-5 years out.   Which is going to be more meaningful for him....the academic money he is receiving to attend a D1 he already told you he prefers or the opportunity to play D1 or D3 baseball?    

I agree with RJM...I usually do.   I think you've got to visit the school and the coaches to make sure this is the right fit.   Keep working the coaching staff until he can get a read on them and the situation.    Clearly the D1 school wants him academically, and they have determined he is a fit by offering $$ incentive which is good over 4 years (typically).   I'd like to see the coach provide some type of assurance that he will be  treated fairly with tryouts.

I purposely did not address the D3 school as the young man's preference was the D1 school and he is getting academic money.   I would look harder at the D3 school if the D1 school doesn't work out or fit for academics and baseball.  

As always, JMO.

Playball310 posted:

Thanks everyone!

It is always good to get others insight to share with my son. I think he needs to write up the pros and cons for both situations and with this feedback, it should help him with this task. His ultimate goal is to work in Baseball one day. He knows he is not going to play in the MLB. He just wants to play as long as he can because he truly enjoys the sport.  He has two good choices, with academic money at both. I don't think he can go wrong.

Thanks!

Well, actually, he can go wrong.  You said he just wants to play as long as he can.  You said his ultimate goal is to work in baseball some day.  You didn't answer my questions and I asked them for a reason.  If he tries to walk on at a D1, there is a very strong possibility that he will be out of competitive baseball at this time next year for good.  That doesn't match well with either playing as long as he can or ultimately working in baseball.

If you care to answer my questions, I will expand.

RJM posted:

A mid major is unlikey to lose players to the draft. So roster spots are unlikely become available due to the draft. The larger program tend to over recruit and screw players if they don’t lose players to the draft.  

 

For those that don't remember, my son decided not to play college ball.  He was being recruited by mid-D1 schools.  A couple of the schools that were recruiting him before he decided not to play in college unexpectedly lost a player to the draft.  Both schools called my son to see if he would reconsider and come there to play.  This was very late, after both the schools closed their admissions for the year and most kids have made their college selection.  After talking to both of the schools my kid made the choice to stay with his decision to attend a B1G school and not play ball.  From what we experienced my guess is when this happens the schools try to fill the spot rather quickly with kids that were on their board at some point.

I've posted this in an old thread, but it is worth repeating here, with updates: 

A Tale  of five D1 walk-ons.

 Two of them are my cousins once removed (different parents, both a year older than my son, lot of baseball players in my extended family), one a former travel ball teammate and  HS rival of my son's.  The  fourth is  a guy we know that  transferred from  the school that my son ended up at to a Pac 12 program.    The fifth was the number 1 starter on my son's HS team.    

Both cousins were not just walk on but "preferred walk ons."   I know cause both their parents -- my first cousins were really happy about that status, despite the absence of a scholarship commitment.  It enabled the kids and the parents to say the were "recruited." 

Cousin A didn't last through fall ball at his "minor" D1.

 Cousin B, who is a left handed pitcher,  made the fall team, but was one of the last guys cut before spring at his mid-major D1.

 The travel ball teammate actually made the team. He was strongly encouraged by the coach as a walk on.  Don't know if he had the actual label of preferred walk on, but probably did.  In two years has had a total of like 5 ab's, at a big 10 D1. He is a fast kid, played outfield.  Probably would have been high on the depth chart at my son's D3.   Mostly used as a pinch runner at his school.  Was unceremoniously cut his junior year. 

The fourth guy, who was a starter his first two years at a powerhouse D3, -- my son's eventual school -- transferred for academic reasons mostly I gather,  made the team as a walk on at  a Pac 12 D1, but rode the pine for two years. 

Oh yeah, I almost forgot number five.  Number 1 pitcher for my son's HS team.  A  year behind my kid.  All League.  Good press from PG.   Lefty that topped out upper 80's, sat mid 80's.  Decent bat  (but no foot speed).  Recruited late in the game as a preferred walk-on by a mid major D1.   Didn't last through fall ball. 

Bottom line.  no matter what you call it,  the path of a walk on, preferred or not,  is not at all easy.

Question:  Given all the examples of kids who attempted to walk-on but either got cut in the Fall or in the Spring, what was the reason they were cut?  1) Was it that they were inferior to the players who were already there?  Or, 2) Was it due to the team being invested (scholarships, coach providing admission support etc.) in it's existing players and being reluctant to cut any of them (even if those existing players were inferior to the walk-on's)?  I'm thinking there's a lot of #2 going on...but I'd be interested in people's experiences.  

AD2018 posted:

Question:  Given all the examples of kids who attempted to walk-on but either got cut in the Fall or in the Spring, what was the reason they were cut?  1) Was it that they were inferior to the players who were already there?  Or, 2) Was it due to the team being invested (scholarships, coach providing admission support etc.) in it's existing players and being reluctant to cut any of them (even if those existing players were inferior to the walk-on's)?  I'm thinking there's a lot of #2 going on...but I'd be interested in people's experiences.  

You will never find any coach worth his salt  that's going to cut what he takes to be a superior player to keep  what he takes to be an inferior player.   Not saying that the coaches judgment is always necessarily right.  Everybody makes mistakes, has blinders on now and then, etc. But if they cut A and keep B, it's because they believe that B is better than A. 

Two of the players at sons program here in FL came from Fullerton College, the other from San Joaquin. 

Maybe the JUCO idea might be a consideration.

Why would any D1 coach need more players after they have already recruited everyone they need?  And they are paying for their school?  A walkon has about as much chance as me winning the Mega Millions.

My response will be a little different than others above - but that doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the other responses.  I just want to offer a different angle.

I tended to look at this a little different.  Is the choice of college from a baseball perspective only to allow my son to play more baseball?  Or is it to give him options in life beyond baseball?

Both of our sons (finished with college, now minor league players) would have said they wanted to be involved in baseball forever at age 17/18, but as their parent I wanted them to be prepared for the possibility that it wouldn't work out that way...or they may change their minds.

So their college choices were based on a) picking a school they were 110% happy about outside of baseball, b) would give them a good education and c) fit their abilities baseball-wise.

IF...the only college choices they would have had were not a good fit academically or for preparing them beyond baseball - they would not have played college baseball.

It seems to me that your son is telling you what he wants - to attend the college he wants to attend (big school) and take his chances with baseball (walk-on).   You, yourself said, "We have always told him he needs to pick a college that he would be happy with even if baseball was not in the picture."

Baseball is fleeting.  If your son is the next Buster Posey, you may get to play into your late 30s.  Why not follow your own advice?

my sons friend, 2017 HS grad. Had made his choice to attend D3 currently ranked in top 10, he received a late offer in spring of 17 from a semi local mid-major. Apparently they had a spot open up late. He took the offer since he always wanted to be a D1 player. Fast forward a year, he has zero AB's, zero innings in the field and wasn't traveling...where do you expect he would be happier at top 10 D3 or his current role as a nobody?

I hope it works out for him as I hope it works out for your son but to travel across the country asking for a chance to show you can play seems to be a very long shot for success

SluggerDad posted:

I've posted this in an old thread, but it is worth repeating here, with updates: 

A Tale  of five D1 walk-ons.

 Two of them are my cousins once removed (different parents, both a year older than my son, lot of baseball players in my extended family), one a former travel ball teammate and  HS rival of my son's.  The  fourth is  a guy we know that  transferred from  the school that my son ended up at to a Pac 12 program.    The fifth was the number 1 starter on my son's HS team.    

Both cousins were not just walk on but "preferred walk ons."   I know cause both their parents -- my first cousins were really happy about that status, despite the absence of a scholarship commitment.  It enabled the kids and the parents to say the were "recruited." 

Cousin A didn't last through fall ball at his "minor" D1.

 Cousin B, who is a left handed pitcher,  made the fall team, but was one of the last guys cut before spring at his mid-major D1.

 The travel ball teammate actually made the team. He was strongly encouraged by the coach as a walk on.  Don't know if he had the actual label of preferred walk on, but probably did.  In two years has had a total of like 5 ab's, at a big 10 D1. He is a fast kid, played outfield.  Probably would have been high on the depth chart at my son's D3.   Mostly used as a pinch runner at his school.  Was unceremoniously cut his junior year. 

The fourth guy, who was a starter his first two years at a powerhouse D3, -- my son's eventual school -- transferred for academic reasons mostly I gather,  made the team as a walk on at  a Pac 12 D1, but rode the pine for two years. 

Oh yeah, I almost forgot number five.  Number 1 pitcher for my son's HS team.  A  year behind my kid.  All League.  Good press from PG.   Lefty that topped out upper 80's, sat mid 80's.  Decent bat  (but no foot speed).  Recruited late in the game as a preferred walk-on by a mid major D1.   Didn't last through fall ball. 

Bottom line.  no matter what you call it,  the path of a walk on, preferred or not,  is not at all easy.

Does "cut" mean not making the travel roster, or not welcome to stay and practice with the team? The reason I ask is that in football, kids that may never travel or dress for a game are often kept for the "look" or scout team.  A lot of kids do it just to be a part of the program, particularly at larger schools.  Is that not an option in D1 baseball?