JMO, but unless the player feels that they are going to get a large amount of playing time @ the D1 their freshmen year they are better off going to a JUCO. Ask yourself a question: Would a D1 program want a kid that has played in 75+ games over a 2 year period or someone that has played 15 games over a 2 year period? IMO, the experience that one gains from playing is much greater than what one gains from watching others play. From a financial point of view most JUCO's have much more scholarship $$$ to offer than the D1 schools. The last variable is academics: With JUCO's having fewer students most students make better grades becuase they have less distractions and are able to focus more on their academics. I have seen kids go to a JUCO and end up at a great D1 school because they were a good player (not great) with a 3.50+ @ the JUCO and the D1 could get them with academic money instead of baseball money. Most players that are going to end up at a state school would probably be better served going to a JUCO first. If the student/athlete is capable of attending one of the Ivy League schools that is something different.