Been enjoying the threads and reading about one's personal experiences. Here's another. Son went to PG showcase early on ("young" as another poster said) to see where he stood. Received OK rating but used it as a motivation. 60 was one of the best at the event, though low for son. He knew he had to improve arm strength, and STRENGTHEN his strength (Speed).
Fast forward-- he increased his arm strength 15 mph, and graduated a 6.4 60 runner, since the PG showcase. Knew that speed and grades were his top 2 tools. Coaches that recruited him often talked about a "different set of tools," that they wanted to see in person. In skills sets at showcases, hard to detect that he would use part of a round to hit opposite field, and another part of the round to hit ball hard up the middle, and usually end with long balls to OF. Bunting too is part of his arsenal, which is seen in games, not showcases.
One previous poster spoke of Heart of a player, I'll add instincts. How is a RF anywhere around an overthrow at first from third? Or taking an extra base when fielder's aren't covering a bag? Or stealing second base after 7 throws over to first base? Or inside out swing to RF to move a runner from second to third? Or bunting to third because 3B was miffed that he struck out last inning and his head isn't in it? Will never know what PG rating is since 9th grade. In the grand scheme of things it didn't matter. What "the number" did for us, was learn what one evaluator's opinion was in a "snapshot of time",(how he stood against others) and motivate a player to improve.
Ripken, what time frame did it take for your son to gain the 15mph in throwing velo? Two years? What college or level of college did your son eventually go to? Still playing?
Thank you.