If my son shows up for the fall and been awarded a scholarship, I would expect him to compete against those that have been awarded and recruited in the same way.
IMO, 30-32 is the ideal roster, with half being pitchers. You NEVER have enough pitching. But to show up and have to compete with 5 catchers (example) is ridiculous. Do your homework, if you see a high profile player played a position he's most likely got it for another 2-3 years. You are not gonna get it over him, unless he gets hurts or becomes ineligible.
As far as the new rules, I think that you only have to be compliant in fall for GPA, not for roster (35) until spring.
A good question to ask is about redshirt. At the school where son went (that sounds too sad now
) all players were given a uniform and all had to attend games and most traveled to non conference games. This makes them part of teh team even though sitting out for a year. In D1, 28 can travel in uniform for conference games, the 25 man roster is not awarded until tourney time and post season. The idea is to show up and compete for a starting position and then make the 25 man for championship games.
In recruiting it is a coaches responsibility to be honest. If he has a second baseman who has played and proved himself, there should be no one question he will receive the job the following year. The coach should be honest to the new recruits that they may have to sit for a year or two behind another player, or use that player at another position.
It always doesn't work out the way they plan it, but if too many are in line for one position, it should be the players decision to leave, not to get cut because too many showed up.
It can be done the right and honest way, some just don't know how to do it.