There are three levels of D1 ball. They overlap. A competitive mid major may be better than a major conference bottom feeder. There are some programs in mid major conferences that are perennial tournament teams (Fullerton, Coastal, etc.)
There are 297 D1 programs. They are not created equal. Generically there’s major conference, mid major and the rest. Given your geographic point of reference I would call the MAAC part of “the rest.” A kid who can’t even dream of walking on at a ranked program could be a four year starter at a MAAC.
What the prospect and his parents need to do is take an honest view of ability and target the right level. The player should be looking for a quality baseball and educational experience at whatever level it’s possible.
I watched a D3 regional this past season. It isn’t any less competitive and intense than a D1 regional. It’s just a different level of ball played at a different speed. But having seen a friend’s son in a D3 national championship dog pile about ten years ago it didn’t look any less fun than a D1 dog pile. And the two pitchers facing off throwing 90+ were both drafted.
At the D1 level the attrition rate to first college played is about 50%. One reason is there are thirty-five very capable former all everything high school players battling for 18-20 playing time spots. A second reason is players selecting the dream school they loved that didn’t love them back (liked them as backup insurance) over a program that showed love.
You seem very focused on D1 lately. Is your son a D1 prospect?