So, back to the original question.....High Academic -- SAT/ACT and Timing?
My two cents and experience....the higher the baseball level the recruit is being considered for high academic schools, the sooner he needs to have his academic house in order. Some D1 recruits are being genuinely considered for Stanford, Ivys, others and it is a great idea to have those ACT/SAT ready to compare offers that can be coming in from other power conference D1s. In addition, the more traditional power D1 academic schools are recruiting earlier and earlier. I'd suggest late soph year or early junior year IF the recruit is ready. We are talking about a small number of recruits nationally.
Other recruits that are not getting that genuine level of D1 power conference interest can wait until early junior year or whenever they are ready to take the SAT for high academic schools. These recruits will be in communication with some D1 mid-majors, Ivys, Patriot and D3.
JMO and experience.