How often do kids fool the college coaches and pro scouts because they have the tools even though they aren't producers in games?
I imagine this happens quite frequently. Kid on my son's summer team threw upper 90's but no clue where it would go. I swear he would average 3 walks and 2 strikeouts an inning. Drafted in the 20th round and signed. Got very few innings.
Son goes to a local JUCO that is pretty good. Last year about 5 D-1 guys transferred in as sophomores. We have a pool on who will join him there his sophomore year that transfer in. He says his teammates have one going to on who comes in.
I think it's a little of both. Players and parents think the boy will get a lot of playing time and he doesnt so they bolt. And the coach thinks he is better or thinks he can take the hard throwing guy and teach him to throw strikes and he cant, so he never pitches him.