The Canes have offered a summer 18u in the past but take into account the strain and expectation on a highly regarded prospect.
In a 2 pitcher system (which is the case with most hs programs) your feature guy could log up to 70 innings. Given that situation most college guys would recommend a summer off to rest, workout and build arm strength.
For a position player, if given the right opportunity, a collegiate summer league is great, but u risk sitting because a senior or junior in college has been placed there for exposure. It's a catch 22.
UVA has a majority of their incoming freshman attend summer school before they get there in order to take some classes and get acclimated to college life. I think this is great considering that most of these high level guys need a break for their bodies and mind.
In the end a lot of times there is a recommendation from the school, coujpled with a decision by the parents and ballplayerbased on the best interest of that individual ballplayer.
Let's not forget that colleges want all their recruits to come to school.